Manufacture and structures for fiber reinforced high temperature superconductors

ABSTRACT

A method comprises growing a longitudinal a-b plane high temperature superconducting crystal with a long fiber reinforced seed crystal; and cutting off the long fiber reinforced seed crystal from the longitudinal a-b plane high temperature superconducting crystal. A method comprises adding high temperature superconducting constituent powders; adding intermediate solid state powders to the constituent powders; disposing fiber reinforcement within the intermediate solid state powders and the constituent powders; compressing the intermediate solid state powders and the constituent powders with the fiber reinforcement to form a high temperature superconducting shape; and heating the high temperature superconducting shape to crystalize. A composition comprises a plurality HTS segments, wherein a HTS segment comprises one or more continuous fibers embedded in a high temperature superconducting material; and a wire or a tape, which is mechanically and electrically coupled between a first HTS segment and a second HTS segment.

CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/941,410 (Attorney Docket No. LAUSP004+) entitled VARIOUSAPPLICATIONS OF FIBER REINFORCED HIGH TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTROS, filed27 Nov. 2019 which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/983,333 (Attorney Docket No. LAUSP005+) entitled METHOD TO CREATESUPERCONDUCTORS WITH LONG CONDUCTING AXIS USING LONGITUDINAL SEEDCRYSTALS, filed 28 Feb. 2020 which is incorporated herein by referencefor all purposes.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/983,336 (Attorney Docket No. LAUSP006+) entitled METHOD TOSUPPORT EARTH-SPACE TETHERS USING THE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF A FILLMATERIAL WRAPPED IN A GRAPHENE CASING, filed 28 Feb. 2020 which isincorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The first high-temperature superconductor (HTS) was discovered in 1986.Its discoverers were immediately awarded the 1987 Nobel Prize in Physicspartly because of expectations for rapid application. Superconductivityis the property of transmitting electricity with no or littleresistance. In theory, superconducting materials can also createunlimitedly large magnetic fields.

The HTS break-through was the discovery of superconductivity in ceramicmaterials. Previously superconductivity was seen only in metallicsuperconductors which needed to be cooled below 30 K (−243.2° C.) toachieve superconductivity. Such temperatures could in practice beobtained using liquid helium or liquid hydrogen which are expensive touse, increasingly rare in the case of helium, and/or dangerouslyexplosive in the case of hydrogen. In contrast, HTS can achievesuperconductivity at temperatures as high as 138 K (−135° C.) and can becooled using substances such as liquid nitrogen, which is commerciallywidely available, stable, and inexpensive.

Unfortunately after over three decades of intense experimental andtheoretical research, with over 100,000 published papers on the subjectand numerous early patents (nearly all expired), no widely acceptedtheory explains the properties of HTS materials, and no significant HTSapplications have been found to be practical.

This reflects four problems: 1) unlike metals which are commonly used totransmit electricity, HTS ceramics are brittle making them expensive tomanufacture and difficult to form into wires and other useful shapes; 2)highest performing HTSs are single crystals (bulk) superconductors wherethe entire sample is a single molecular lattice where superconductivityfails with the slightest lattice crack, 3) HTS do not form large,continuous superconducting domains, but clusters of micro-domains withinwhich superconductivity occurs; and 4) the HTS production process iscomplicated requiring a multiple calcination of ingredients at hightemperatures range from 800° C. to 950° C. for several hours followingsintering, which is done at 950° C. in an oxygen atmosphere where oxygenstoichiometry is very crucial for obtaining the superconductingcompound. Slow cooling in an oxygen atmosphere turns the materialsuperconductive involving both the uptake and loss of oxygen.

The complex role of oxygen in production prohibits the use of mostreinforcing materials to relieve the brittleness and cracking describedin 1), 2), and 3) above. This is because nearly all potential materials,which are stable across this process' high temperature such as metals,carbon, composites, ceramics, etc., oxidize during this process whichinterferes with the creation of the HTS material. The oxidation eithercreates impurities or depletes oxygen at critical times in theproduction process and crystal formation.

Current attempts to find useful HTS materials focus on externalreinforcement such as packing-in-tube (PIT) wire production, encasingHTS in durable materials like stainless steel, or additive processessuch as attempting to apply HTS as a coating on film or tape substrates.Both PIT and external encasing are difficult to produce economically inshapes and constructions for practical applications. Techniques whichattempt to grow HTS on reinforcement substrates are experimental and, todate, far from producing significantly robust HTS components forpractical applications. Attempts have been made to use HTS in electricalapplications such as transformers and Superconductor Fault ControlLimiters where strength is not critical. But these have not yet resultedin widespread HTS use due to technical and economic reasons.

Attempts have been made to internally reinforce HTS using discontinuousmetal fibers (also known as chopped fibers) and particles (Cu, Ag, Au,etc.). These have generally failed due to a) contamination duringproduction as described in [0009] above and/or b) agglomeration of thediscontinuous particles/fibers during the melt phase of production. Inagglomeration sintering powders are melted into liquid form. While inliquid discontinuous reinforcement pieces can move and stick together(agglomerate) forming masses which disrupt crystal formation, and createcrack and fault planes which reduces the strength of and disintegratesthe final HTS crystal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the followingdetailed description and the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a composition.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a composition.

FIG. 3 is a table illustrating an embodiment of materials for fluxpinning.

FIG. 4 is diagram illustrating an embodiment of composition.

FIG. 5 is diagram illustrating an embodiment of composition.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of magnetic particle fluxpinning.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of magnetic particle fluxpinning.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating axes in an HTS material.

FIG. 9 is diagram illustrating a process for seeding HTS crystal growth.

FIG. 10 is diagram illustrating a process for seeding HTS crystalgrowth.

FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating a process for seeding HTS crystalgrowth.

FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process producingHTS crystals.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a process for seeding HTS crystalgrowth.

FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C are diagrams illustrating embodiments of aprocess for making a process for producing a HTS composition.

FIG. 14A is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process forproducing a HTS reinforced composition.

FIG. 14B is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a wound solenoid.

FIGS. 15A-E are diagrams illustrating a process for creating a HTSsolenoid structure.

FIGS. 16A-B are diagrams illustrating a process for creating a spiral.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a process for creating a spiral usingbending.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a process for creating a spiral usingbending.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a process for creating a spiral usingbending.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a process for creating a spiral usingbending.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an actuator/valve.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an actuator/valve.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of HTS solenoids andactuators/valves used in avionics.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an HTSvoltaic-magnetic cell.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a force direction on a charge in amagnetic field.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a radiation shield.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a shield.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a shield with afailed cell.

FIGS. 29 and 30 are diagrams illustrating an embodiment of a shield witha cell in a net.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a fiber in a net.

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a tether.

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a tether.

FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a tether.

FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a segmented tether.

FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a tether andelevator.

FIGS. 37A-B are diagrams illustrating embodiments of a propulsionsystem.

FIG. 38A-B are diagrams illustrating embodiments of a buoyant magnet.

FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a propulsion system.

FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a projectilelaunching system.

FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a HTS crystal.

FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a seed crystal placedalong c-axis.

FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a seed crystal placedalong c-axis.

FIG. 44 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a seed crystal placedalong a axis orb axis.

FIG. 45 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a seed crystal placedalong a axis orb axis.

FIG. 46 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a tether.

FIG. 47 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a tether.

FIG. 48 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a tether.

FIG. 49 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a tether.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as aprocess; an apparatus; a system; a composition of matter; a computerprogram product embodied on a computer readable storage medium; and/or aprocessor, such as a processor configured to execute instructions storedon and/or provided by a memory coupled to the processor. In thisspecification, these implementations, or any other form that theinvention may take, may be referred to as techniques. In general, theorder of the steps of disclosed processes may be altered within thescope of the invention. Unless stated otherwise, a component such as aprocessor or a memory described as being configured to perform a taskmay be implemented as a general component that is temporarily configuredto perform the task at a given time or a specific component that ismanufactured to perform the task. As used herein, the term ‘processor’refers to one or more devices, circuits, and/or processing coresconfigured to process data, such as computer program instructions.

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention isprovided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate theprinciples of the invention. The invention is described in connectionwith such embodiments, but the invention is not limited to anyembodiment. The scope of the invention is limited only by the claims andthe invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications andequivalents. Numerous specific details are set forth in the followingdescription in order to provide a thorough understanding of theinvention. These details are provided for the purpose of example and theinvention may be practiced according to the claims without some or allof these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technicalmaterial that is known in the technical fields related to the inventionhas not been described in detail so that the invention is notunnecessarily obscured.

A composition is disclosed. The composition comprises a plurality ofcontinuous ordered fibers embedded in a high temperature superconductingmaterial, wherein the plurality of continuous ordered fibers comprise acore and a reinforcing material.

A composition is disclosed. The composition comprises one or more largediameter continuous fibers embedded in a high temperaturesuperconducting material; and one or more small diameter continuousfibers embedded in a high temperature superconducting material.

A composition is disclosed. The method comprises one or more continuousfibers embedded in a high temperature superconducting material, whereina fiber of the one or more continuous fibers comprise a core andreinforcing material, and wherein one or more magnetic particles areembedded in the core of the fiber.

A method is disclosed. The method comprises growing a longitudinal a-bplane high temperature superconducting crystal with a long fiberreinforced seed crystal; and cutting off the long fiber reinforced seedcrystal from the longitudinal a-b plane high temperature superconductingcrystal.

The method is disclosed. The method comprises adding high temperaturesuperconducting constituent powders; adding intermediate solid statepowders to the high temperature superconducting constituent powders;disposing fiber reinforcement within the intermediate solid statepowders and the high temperature superconducting constituent powders;compressing the intermediate solid state powders and the hightemperature superconducting constituent powders with the fiberreinforcement to form a high temperature superconducting shape; andheating the high temperature superconducting shape to crystalize.

A composition is disclosed. The composition comprises a plurality HTSsegments, wherein a HTS segment of the plurality of HTS segmentscomprises one or more continuous fibers embedded in a high temperaturesuperconducting material; and a wire or a tape, wherein the wire or thetape is mechanically and electrically coupled between a first HTSsegment of the plurality of HTS segments and a second HTS segment of theplurality of HTS segments.

A device is disclosed. The device comprises a solenoid of reinforced HTSmaterial, wherein the solenoid of reinforced HTS material comprises aplurality continuous ordered fibers embedded in a high temperaturesuperconducting material.

A device is disclosed. The device comprises one or more coils, whereinthe one or more coils comprise HTS solenoids; an armature coupled to astem in a control valve, wherein the armature comprises a HTS solenoid;and coolant access paths, wherein the coolant access paths enablecooling the one or more coils and the armature.

A device is disclosed. The device comprises a photovoltaic cell; and aparallel array of HTS solenoids, wherein the parallel array of HTSsolenoids is coupled to the photovoltaic cell.

A device is disclosed. The device comprises a support net with nodes,wherein each node comprises a HTS photovoltaic-magnetic cell, whereinalignments of the HTS photovoltaic-magnetic cells are arranged with N—Sin parallel alignment.

A device is disclosed. The device comprises a tether comprising aplurality of HTS solenoids and a sheath, wherein a solenoid of theplurality of HTS solenoids comprises a high temperature superconductingmaterial and reinforcing fiber.

A device is disclosed. The device comprises propulsion ball or platewith tail, injected in propulsion channel; HTS solenoids disposed alongwalls of propulsion channel, wherein the propulsion ball or plate withtail are moved through the propulsion channel using magnetic fieldgenerated by HTS solenoids; and a collection channel.

A device is disclosed. The device comprises a tube with a tube HTSsolenoid, wherein a projectile in a sabot comprising a sabot HTSsolenoid.

A method is disclosed. The method comprises disposing a seed HTS crystalon a growing crystal in contact with an a-b plane of the seed HTScrystal to grow the growing crystal, wherein the a-b plane isperpendicular to a c-axis.

A method is disclosed. The method comprises disposing a seed HTS crystalon a growing crystal in contact with a b-c plane of the seed HTS crystalto grow the growing crystal, wherein the b-c plane is perpendicular toan a-axis.

A device is disclosed. The device comprises a reinforced HTS material ina graphene casing, wherein the HTS in the graphene casing includes acooling channel and a return channel.

A number of applications for or production methods for a reinforcedsuperconducting composition are disclosed.

A reinforced superconducting composition comprises one or morecontinuous fibers that is/are embedded in a high temperaturesuperconducting (HTS) material. The fibers are of sufficiently longlength or sufficiently large aspect ratio (the ratio of fiber length towidth) such that the fibers do not migrate, agglomerate, nor reactsufficiently during HTS sintering and crystallization to weaken thefinal HTS material below that of unreinforced HTS. Fibers can beconnected together in structures so that they do not migrate,agglomerate nor react sufficiently during HTS sintering andcrystallization to weaken the final HTS material below that ofunreinforced HTS. In some embodiments, the fibers are long in the eventthat the fibers span the HTS from one edge to another. In variousembodiments, the fibers are 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 50 mm long,or any other appropriate length. In some embodiments, the fibers arecomposed of multiple filaments and/or non-continuous strands which mayor may not be composed as threads and/or braids.

In some embodiments, the one or more continuous fibers is/are comprisedof an element which a) has a high melting point and b) forms a verydurable oxide form that prevents contamination of a high temperaturesuperconducting material. In some embodiments, the one or morecontinuous fibers comprise SiC fiber. In various embodiments, the one ormore fibers comprise Silicon (Si), Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄), Silicatesincluding Silicon Dioxide (SiO₂), Boron (B), Boron Carbide (B₄C), BoronNitride (BN), Chromium (Cr), Chromium Carbides (Cr₃C₂, Cr₇C₃, Cr₂₃C₆),Chromium Nitrides (CrN, Cr₂N), Hafnium Carbide (HfC), Zirconium Carbide(ZrC), Zirconium Nitride (ZrN), Zirconium Diboride (ZrB₂), Titanium(Ti), Titanium Carbide (TiC), Titanium nitride (TiN), Tungsten Carbide(WC), Aluminum (Al), Alumina (Al₂O₃), Aluminum Carbide (Al₄C₃), AluminumNitride (AlN), Titanium Aluminum Nitride (TiAlN), Aluminum TitaniumNitride (AlTiN), or any other appropriate material. These materials arereferred to herein as Reinforcing Materials.

A reinforced high temperature superconducting material is disclosed. Thehigh temperature superconducting material has zero electrical resistanceat a temperature above 25° K. In various embodiments, the hightemperature superconducting material comprises one or more of thefollowing: a ceramic material, a copper oxide material, a rare earthcopper oxide material (RE)BCO (e.g., (RE)Ba₂Cu₃O₇), an iron arsenidematerial, an iron selenide material, a LaBaCuO material, a LaSrCuOmaterial, a LaSrCaCuO material, a YBaCuO material, a BiSrCaCuO material,a TiBaCaCuO material, a HgBACaCuO material, a HgTiBaCaCuO material, aLnFeAs(O,F) material, a (Ba, K, Li, Na)FeAs material, a FeSe material, aMgB material, a BKBO material, a RbCsC material, a YbPdBC material, aNbGe material, or any other appropriate material. Note that RE standsfor a rare earth element, where the rare earth elements include cerium(Ce), dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd),holmium (Ho), lanthanum (La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium (Nd),praseodymium (Pr), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc),terbium (Tb), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and yttrium (Y). Thesematerials are typically made by heating the component powders in theappropriate proportions until they anneal and then cooling until acrystal is formed. These materials are referred to herein as HighTemperature Superconductors or HTS.

The one or more continuous fibers are arranged in an array. In variousembodiments, the array comprises one of the following: a one dimensionalarray, a two dimensional array, a three dimensional array, or any otherappropriate array. In some embodiments, the two or more continuousfibers are connected or coupled to each other. In some embodiments, thetwo or more continuous fibers are not connected nor coupled to eachother. In various embodiments, the one or more fibers are arranged inparallel lines, in parallel curves, or any other appropriatereinforcement arrangement.

In various embodiments, the high temperature superconductive material isshaped using subtractive cutting, is shaped using cutting and dividing,or any other process for creating a shape. In various embodiments, thehigh temperature superconductive material is produced using a batchprocess, a continuous process, or any other appropriate process.

In some embodiments, the one or more fibers are pre-stressed duringmanufacturing (e.g., put under mechanical tension—for example, bypulling on the ends of the fiber). In various embodiments, the one ormore fibers are used for cooling the high temperature superconductingmaterial, are used to heat the high temperature superconductingmaterial, are used to transmit electrical signals into the hightemperature superconducting material, or any other appropriate usewithin the high temperature superconducting material. In someembodiments, the fiber comprises a composite fiber, where the componentsof the fiber are selected to enhance or be compatible with the propertydesired (e.g., cooling, heating, and/or transmitting electricity, etc.).

Continuous, long fiber is used for physical internal reinforcement of anHTS material to prevent contamination during crystal formation andcracking of the final crystal which causes the superconductivity of HTSmaterial to fail. Long continuous fiber is distributed through the HTSsintering components powder then processed with the HTS sample through asintering, crystallization, and cooling process. The use of longcontinuous fiber prevents problems when fibers agglomerate and reactcausing weakness in HTS crystal. In some embodiments, discontinuousfibers of approximately 4 mm in length that are added to HTS componentpowders before sintering physically reinforce an HTS material andprevent contamination during crystal formation and cracking of the finalHTS crystal. These agglomerations and reactions are especially acuteduring the melt phase of HTS crystal production. The length of longcontinuous fibers, especially when connected or held fixed, prevents thefibers from moving, clumping, and reacting unnecessarily to thedetriment of HTS crystal formation. In some embodiments, the fibers arelong in the event that the fibers span the HTS from one edge to anotherand/or just shy of or just beyond or way beyond the edge(s) of the HTScrystal. In various embodiments, the fibers are 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,20, 30, 50 mm long, or any other appropriate length to preventagglomeration.

In some embodiments, carbon fiber (e.g., SiC fiber) and/or other fiberis a strong reinforcing material which is stable over the wide range oftemperatures involved in sintering, crystallizing and processing bulkHTS crystal;

In some embodiments, although oxygen reacts readily with most materials,the specified fibers create a durable oxide layer that preventscontamination of a high temperature superconducting material. Forexample, SiC carbon fiber creates a durable layer of silicon dioxide(SiO₂) from a reaction of silicon Si with oxygen O during the initialheating of the HTS sintering, in which the component powders are meltedinto a liquid phase. This SiO₂ layer prohibits further reaction withoxygen during the remaining HTS production process. This process issimilar to how aluminum (Al), which normally reacts readily with oxygen,forms a durable coat of aluminum oxide Al₂O₃, which prevents furtherreactions. The oxide layer allows aluminum to be used safely for foil,pots, and pans without the fear of either an explosive chemical reactionor aluminum poisoning (except in the case of highly acidic foods likerhubarb which can dissolve the Al₂O₃ coating during cooking).

In some embodiments, the use of continuous, long fiber permits the fiberto retain its position in the metal phase liquid and prevents theagglomeration seen with discontinuous fibers and particles, whichultimately weakens and disintegrates the HTS crystal.

In various embodiments, continuous, long fiber can be formed into avariety of simple reinforcement structures involving unconnected fiberssuch as single planes of one dimensional fiber arrays, two dimensionalfiber arrays with alternating stacked layers of planes in orthogonaldirections, full three dimensional unconnected arrays or lattices offibers, or any other appropriate reinforcement arrangements.

By connecting continuous, long fiber, a variety of reinforcementstructures like single and layered two dimensional nets as well as threedimensional connected mesh structures can be made. For example, thesestructures, nets, or meshes create an internal reinforcement similar toconcrete reinforcement that strengthens the material by redistributingstresses and strains, which prevents cracking.

By using both linear and non-linear, unconnected and connectedcontinuous long fiber, complex reinforcement structures can be formedfor any desired geometry of HTS superconductor.

Fiber reinforcement will permit HTS components to be produced cheaplyand with precision through the technique of Subtractive Sculpting (e.g.,the removal of material to achieve a desired shape—for example, bycutting, carving, scraping, grinding, etc.). Until now attempts atproducing usable HTS components exclusively focused on either creatingthin single crystal films through two-dimensional deposition onsubstrates or bulk three-dimensional HTS crystals in molds or otherfixed containers. These methods are expensive, restrict the shape andsize of components, and require the custom manufacture of each componentto exact specifications making it extremely difficult to physicallymodify a component after it is produced. Fiber reinforcement strengthensand reduces the brittleness of a bulk HTS allowing parts to be sculpted(i.e., carved, cut, ground or otherwise extracted away) from a block ofHTS material without disrupting the superconductivity of the crystallattice. Thus, an unlimited variety of HTS component geometries can beproduced including wires, rods, spirals, films, tapes, plates, blocks,spheres and three dimensional complex forms for use in specific electricand magnetic applications. Subtractive Sculpting also allows moreprecise component manufacture by eliminating geometric uncertainties inthermal expansion/contraction as HTS crystallizes and cools duringproduction. Cooling causes thermal expansion and contraction which isdifficult to predict, and varies greatly depending on an HTS crystal'sinternal cooling temperature gradients and shape. Production using moldsand film deposition are prone to such thermal uncertainties since theirexternal reinforcement cannot be easily modified once the HTS crystalhas formed. The much greater manufacturing precision provided bySubtractive Sculpting due to fiber internal reinforcement will allowmuch less wastage of less-than-perfectly formed HTS components. Theefficiency will substantially reduce the cost of fiber reinforced HTScomponents leading to more commercial applications.

Fiber reinforcement allows a single production block to be cut in to alarge number and/or variety of different components. This increasesproduction efficiency and reduces costs leading to more commercialapplications.

Fiber reinforcement (e.g., SiC and/or other fiber reinforcement) willalso make HTS and proto-HTS materials strong enough for Continuous HTSProduction which will significantly reduce manufacturing cost leading toHTS use in more applications. Currently, HTS is produced in batcheswhere single bulk crystals or films are first sintered/deposited thenallowed to cool under controlled conditions to allow crystal growth.While suitable for research, batch production is inefficient andexpensive requiring considerable labor for each batch and leaving mostequipment unused during each production run. Continuous HTS Productionis a multi-stage process where: 1) fiber reinforcement is placed withina continuous tube sheath or are formed into a shape by compression priorto or at the entrance to the continuous production line, 2) constituentHTS chemicals in sintering powder form are mixed and place with thefiber reinforcement in the tube or shape, 3) the HTS is then packed andheated to sintering temperatures as the tube or shape is moved through aprocessing oven machine, 4) the tube or shape then moves through acooling process where a single long HTS crystal continuously forms, 5)once crystallized, the continuous HTS crystal tube or shape is cooled toroom temperature, and 6) the HTS tube or shape is then cut at intervalsto produce individual bulk single crystal HTS blocks. The individualblocks are then Subtractively Sculpted into individual components.

Continuous production requires that the single HTS crystal be strongenough to withstand the strains and stresses of continuous movementduring production. This is done by placing fiber reinforcement with thesintering component powders in the continuous tube or shape beforesintering. The reinforcement reduces the brittleness of and strengthensthe HTS such that the continuous tube of HTS can be transportedseamlessly through mixing, packing, sintering, cooling, and cuttingwithout breaking the HTS' essential single crystal structure.

To further strengthen HTS components against brittleness and cracking,fibers can be pre-stressed during sintering and throughout HTSproduction with specialized processes, equipment, and controlmechanisms. The physical principle behind pre-stressing is that acompressive force (F) within the HTS crystal is created by thecontinuous lateral force induced by the stressed fiber reinforcement.This compressive force increases the external forces (P) which the HTScrystal can bear before cracking.

Pre-stressing involves applying carefully controlled and monitoredtension at ends of individual reinforcing fibers before sintering andcooling. After the HTC crystal forms around the fibers, the crystalmatrix will hold the fiber and extend the fiber's force completelythrough the HTS such that tension on the external fiber ends will nolonger be needed. External fiber ends can then be trimmed, and the nowpre-stressed strengthened HTS can be divided, cut and subtractivelyshaped into final component shape.

For batch production, pre-stressing forces would be applied on theexternal fiber ends sticking out of the HTS before the HTS componentpowders are added to the reinforcement in the casing at the beginning ofthe process. At the end of the process after HTS crystal has been formedbut before production blocks are cut, lateral tension is maintained byfriction rollers in contact directly with the production casing coveringthe now solid HTS crystal. In various embodiments, the tension isachieved by grabbing, clamping, or holding the fiber end(s) and pulling,or any other appropriate means of creating tension. Pre-stressingtension is maintained as the component powders are added then continuedduring the sintering and cooling phases of HTS production. Once the HTScrystal is formed, the Pre-stressing tension is released pass thefriction rollers. The HTS crystal matrix will now hold the pre-stressedfibers under force throughout the HTS thereby making it much strongerthan without pre-stressing.

Continuously produced Reinforced HTS can be Radially Pre-stressed byplacing fibers perpendicular or at an angle to the axis of the lateralmovement of the production tube casing such that individual fiber endsprotrude from the casing. The tube is then be filled with HTS componentsintering powder. A pre-stressing jig is then assembled around theproduction casing which secures the ends and provides Pre-StressingTension to the radial fiber extruding from the casing. This jig keepspre-stressing tension on the radial fibers as the HTS is sintered thencrystallized and cooled. Once the HTS crystal is formed, the radialfibers are held at force by the crystal matrix. The pre-stressing jig isthen disassembled and taken off the casing before the finalpre-stressing tension rollers for Lateral Pre-Stressing described above.

The conductivity and magnetic fields of reinforced HTS components can becontrolled by varying the temperature and/or electric current at theexternal fiber ends of the fibers. This is because both the electricalconductivity and thermal conductivity of fiber differs from HTS. Bypassing different levels of heat or electric current through differentfibers, individual parts of a single HTS component can be subject tomore or less heat/electric current than others. This will allowsuperconductivity to be “turned off” or “turned on” in precise parts ofany given HTS component. In addition the heat/current passed through canvaried over time allowing dynamic control of micro-magnetic andmicro-electric fields across the three spatial dimensions and the fourthdimension of time (i.e., 4D control of local HTS properties using amatrix of control lines that can spatially and temporally deposit ordeprive heat, cooling, current, to a localized area in a HTS material).

In various embodiments, features of the reinforced HTS material include:

-   -   using continuous, long fiber silicon carbide fiber to reinforce        HTS to prevent contamination during crystal formation and        cracking of the HTS crystal;    -   using unconnected continuous, long fibers placed in arrays to        reinforce and strengthen HTS; and    -   using connected continuous, long fibers placed in two and three        dimensional reinforcement structures.

In various embodiments, reinforced HTS material are produced using:

-   -   Subtractive Sculpting, where HTS material is extracted through a        sculptive process rather than the additive process of external        molding and film/tape deposition which will increase production        efficiency and reduce costs leading to more commercial        applications;    -   Cutting and dividing single HTS blocks into a large number        and/or variety of different components which will increase        production efficiency and reduce costs leading to more        commercial applications;    -   Continuously Producing HTS to significantly reduce production        cost and time compared to current batch production;    -   Pre-stressing HTC during crystal formation in batch production        to increase strength;    -   Pre-stressing HTC laterally during crystal formation in        Continuous Production to increase HTS strength; and    -   Pre-stressing HTC radially during crystal formation in        Continuous Production to increase HTS strength.

In some embodiments, reinforced HTS materials enable micro-control ofelectric and magnetic fields over three spatial dimensions as well astime (4D) by using a matrix of Reinforcement fibers to turn off and onindividual parts of an HTS component by transmitting heat or electricitythrough the ends of Reinforcement fibers which extend beyond the HTScomponent. This will allow greater HTS use in the Electric Powerindustry for Superconductor Fault Current Limiters (SFCL),Superconductor Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES), Transmission Cables &Wires, Transformers, Generators/Motors, etc. where applications arechallenged by Alternating Current (AC) Losses. AC Loss is a specialphenomenon where alternating currents in HTS generate heat even whensuperconducting.

In some embodiments, reinforced HTS materials enable preventing theoverheating of HTS by cooling the ends of the fiber Reinforcement fiberswhich extend beyond the HTS component to avoid the heating of HTS abovesuperconducting temperatures. In some embodiments, the ends of the fiberreinforcement fibers are placed in a cooling bath and/or are configuredin a radiator configuration to shed heat external to the HTS material.

In some embodiments, the systems include a processor, an interface, anda memory. In some embodiments, the systems further include acommunications network (e.g., a wired network, a wireless network, orany appropriate combination of networks). The interface is configured toreceive input from a user, one or more sensors (e.g., a temperaturesensor, a strain sensor, an electric current sensor, a position sensor,a magnetic field sensor, a radiation sensor, a fluid flow sensor, etc.),a communications network, a computer system, a processor, or any otherappropriate input. The interface is configured to provide output to auser, one or more devices (e.g., actuators, mechanical system,electrical system, switch, etc.), a communications network, a computersystem, a processor, or any other appropriate output. The processor isconfigured to receive the input via the interface and to receivecomputer instructions as stored by the memory. The processor is furtherconfigured to determine appropriate output to provide based at least inpart on the input received. In some embodiments, the processor isconfigured to provide instructions for controlling, sequencing, and/ormanufacture of HTS composites including measuring process parameters(e.g., heating, timing, cooling, material inputs (e.g., compositepowders, intermediate materials, fibers, magnetic particles, reinforcingsheaths, connecting materials, coating materials, cutting, separating,winding, etc.), or any other appropriate instructions. In someembodiments, the processor is configured to operate a device—for examplea valve and/or actuator by providing opening instructions, closinginstructions, armature position instructions, cooling instructions basedin inputs including user inputs and sensor inputs. In some embodiments,aircraft subsystem instructions are provided to HTS valves and/oractuators including operating instructions (e.g., opening, closing,cooling, heating, etc.) with specific timing and/or sequencing based atleast in part on user and/or sensor inputs. In some embodiments, nets ormeshes in two or three dimensions and with 2 or 3 axes of symmetry areprovided with instructions to maintain position, fold, turn on magneticfield generation, turn off magnetic field generation, or any otherappropriate instruction based at least in part on user instructions orsensor (e.g., incoming radiation, etc.). In some embodiments,processor(s) provide instructions to tether components to stiffen, bend,compress, expand, to stabilize a tether based at least in part on sensor(e.g., position, strain, temperature, etc.) inputs. In some embodiments,a processor controls timing of a wave of magnetic field pulses to awater propulsion system based on user input speed instructions and/orfluid flow sensor readings. In some embodiments, a processor providesinstructions to generate force by controlling magnetic field generationin a HTS solenoid tube and/or sabot in terms of amount, timing, etc.

Coated, Clad, and/or Composite Fiber for HTS Reinforcement

The Reinforcing Materials' main purpose is to prevent the contaminationof HTS during sintering and crystallization. Coated, cladded, and/orcomposite HTS Reinforcing Fiber, which is cheaper, stronger, and moreflexible and which conducts heat and/or electricity better, can be madeby placing Reinforcing Materials on cheaper, stronger, more flexible,more heat conductive and/or more electric current conductive longcontinuous substrate fiber. Substrates could also comprise specialmaterials for specific purposes—for example, ferromagnetic material forFlux Pinning. Possible substrates could include, but are not limited to,materials with melting temperatures higher than the maximum sinteringtemperatures for HTS such as metals and metal alloys (e.g., Tungsten),ceramics, silicon based compounds (e.g., SiO₂), and/or carbon basedcompounds (e.g., graphene). In various embodiments, the materialscomprise: Aluminum, Beryllium, Boron, Carbon, Chromium, Hafnium, Indium,Iridium, Iron, Molybdenum, Nickel, Niobium, Platinum, Rhenium, Rhodium,Silicon, Titanium, Tantalum, Titanium, Tungsten, Zirconium, and theiralloys, compounds, and structures such as, but not limited to, Graphene,Silicon Oxides, Silicon Carbide, Zinc Aluminum Cadmium Alloy, AluminumMagnesium Alloy, Nickel Aluminum Alloy, Beryllium Copper Alloy,Molybdenum Rhenium Alloy, Molybdenum Lanthanum Alloy, Tungsten RheniumAlloy, Nickel Titanium, Tantalum Niobium Alloy, Tantalum Tungsten Alloy,or any other appropriate material. Coating, cladding, and/or formingcomposites can be done through vapor deposition (physical and chemical),chemical and electrochemical techniques, spraying, roll-to-roll coating,and/or other physical coating means.

The thickness of the Reinforcing Material coating, cladding and/or skinof the composite fiber should great enough such to provide the creationof the durable oxide layer with the Reinforcing Material that a) willprevent further oxidation with the HTS component powders during furthersintering and HTS crystal production and b) leave enough original fibermaterial, whether Reinforcing Material or Substrate, to provide thephysical properties desired from the reinforcing fiber. These physicalproperties include strength, connections with other fibers, structure,pliability and flexibility, as well as flux pinning properties includingferromagnetic infusions, etc. For example, with SiC ReinforcingMaterial, thicknesses below 1.5 μm react too much during HTS formation.In some embodiments, a core fiber comprises a metal and a reinforcingmaterial comprises SiC. In various embodiments, the core fiber is 5, 10,15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600,700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 5000 nm, 500 um, 200 um, 100 um,50 um, 40 um, 30 um, 20 um, 10 um, or any other appropriate in diameter.In various embodiments, the reinforcing material is 5, 10, 15, 20, 30,40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800,900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 5000, 10000, 50000, 100000 nm, or any otherappropriate thickness around the core fiber. In various embodiments, thecore fiber and the reinforcing material have a combined outer diameterof 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, 500,600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 5000, 10000, 50000, 100000,500000 nm, or any other appropriate overall diameter. In variousembodiments, the ratio of the thicknesses or diameters of core fiber andHTS reinforcing material are 1:100, 1:50, 1:20, 1:10, 1:5, 1:4, 1:3,1:2, 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 10:1, 20:1, 50:1, 100:1, or any otherappropriate ratio.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a composition. In theexample shown, a continuous fiber comprising a core (e.g., substrate100) and a reinforcing material (e.g., HTS reinforcing material 102) isone of a plurality of continuous fiber that is embedded in a HTSsuperconductor material. In some embodiments, a plurality continuousordered fibers embedded in a high temperature superconducting material,wherein the plurality of continuous ordered fibers comprise a core and areinforcing material.

A reinforced superconducting composition comprises one or morecontinuous fibers (e.g., fibers made of substrate 100 and HTSreinforcing material 102) that is/are embedded in a high temperaturesuperconducting (HTS) material. The fibers are of sufficiently longlength or sufficiently large aspect ratio (the ratio of fiber length towidth) such that the fibers do not migrate, agglomerate, nor reactsufficiently during HTS sintering and crystallization to weaken thefinal HTS material below that of unreinforced HTS. Fibers can beconnected together in structures so that they do not migrate,agglomerate nor react sufficiently during HTS sintering andcrystallization to weaken the final HTS material below that ofunreinforced HTS. In some embodiments, the fibers are long in the eventthat the fibers span the HTS from one edge to another. In variousembodiments, the fibers are 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 50 mm long,or any other appropriate length. In various embodiments, the fibers arecomposed of continuous ordered multiple fiber filament bundles and/orbraids, and/or non-continuous strands in multiple fiber filament bundlesand/or braids, which may or may not be composed as threads and/orbraids, or any other appropriate multiple fiber arrangements. In someembodiments, the multiple fiber bundles or braids enables longer orcontinuous production of HTS reinforced materials by not requiring thata single fiber be continuous and instead using a bundle or braid wherethe fibers of the bundle or braid have staggered breaks.

In some embodiments, the one or more continuous fibers is/are comprisedof an element which a) has a high melting point and b) forms a verydurable oxide form that prevents contamination of a high temperaturesuperconducting material. In some embodiments, the one or morereinforcing materials of the continuous fibers (e.g., HTS reinforcingmaterial 102) comprise SiC fiber. In various embodiments, the one ormore reinforcing materials of the fibers (e.g., HTS reinforcing material102) comprise Silicon (Si), Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄), Silicates includingSilicon Dioxide (SiO₂), Boron (B), Boron Carbide (B₄C), Boron Nitride(BN), Chromium (Cr), Chromium Carbides (Cr₃C₂, Cr₇C₃, Cr₂₃C₆), ChromiumNitrides (CrN, Cr₂N), Hafnium Carbide (HfC), Zirconium Carbide (ZrC),Zirconium Nitride (ZrN), Zirconium Diboride (ZrB₂), Titanium (Ti),Titanium Carbide (TiC), Titanium nitride (TiN), Tungsten Carbide (WC),Aluminum (Al), Alumina (Al₂O₃), Aluminum Carbide (Al₄C₃), AluminumNitride (AlN), Titanium Aluminum Nitride (TiAlN), Aluminum TitaniumNitride (AlTiN), or any other appropriate material. These materials arereferred to herein as Reinforcing Materials.

A reinforced high temperature superconducting material is disclosed. Thehigh temperature superconducting material has zero electrical resistanceat a temperature above 25° K. In various embodiments, the hightemperature superconducting material comprises one or more of thefollowing: a ceramic material, a copper oxide material, a rare earthcopper oxide material (RE)BCO (e.g., (RE)Ba₂Cu₃O₇), an iron arsenidematerial, an iron selenide material, a LaBaCuO material, a LaSrCuOmaterial, a LaSrCaCuO material, a YBaCuO material, a BiSrCaCuO material,a TiBaCaCuO material, a HgBACaCuO material, a HgTiBaCaCuO material, aLnFeAs(O,F) material, a (Ba, K, Li, Na)FeAs material, a FeSe material, aMgB material, a BKBO material, a RbCsC material, a YbPdBC material, aNbGe material, or any other appropriate material. Note that RE standsfor a rare earth element, where the rare earth elements include cerium(Ce), dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd),holmium (Ho), lanthanum (La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium (Nd),praseodymium (Pr), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc),terbium (Tb), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and yttrium (Y). Thesematerials are typically made by heating the component powders in theappropriate proportions until they anneal and then cooling until acrystal is formed. These materials are referred to herein as HighTemperature Superconductors or HTS.

The disclosed features/characteristics of Coated, Cladded, and/orComposite Fiber for HTS Reinforcement are: a) coating, cladding,compositing Reinforcing Material on a long continuous substrate fiber,b) the substrate fiber could be cheaper, stronger, more flexible, and/ormore heat/current conductive than the Reinforcing Material, and/or c)the substrate fiber could be made of special materials for a specificpurpose such as Flux Pinning, and thus producing a Reinforcement Fiberwith more attractive features than a fiber made of Reinforcing Materialalone.

Coated, Clad, and/or Composite Heat/Current Conducting ReinforcementFiber

Some forms of single material reinforcing fiber are already thermalconductors that can be used for 4D Control of AC Loss heat andmicro-magnetic fields. As shown below, an especially conductiveCoated/Clad/Composite reinforcing fiber can be made by placingReinforcing Material (e.g., SiC) on a long continuous substrate fiber(e.g., graphene) which conducts heat and electricity better than theReinforcing Material itself. The coating can be put in place by a numberof application processes such as vapor deposition (e.g., physical and/orchemical), chemical and electrochemical techniques, spraying,roll-to-roll coating, and/or other any other appropriate physical orchemical coating manner.

Possible core materials could include, but are not limited to, materialswith melting temperatures higher than the maximum sintering temperaturesfor HTS such as metals and metal alloys (e.g., Tungsten), ceramics,silicon based compounds (e.g., SiO₂), and/or carbon based compounds(e.g., graphene). In various embodiments, the materials comprise:Aluminum, Beryllium, Boron, Carbon, Chromium, Hafnium, Indium, Iridium,Iron, Molybdenum, Nickel, Niobium, Platinum, Rhenium, Rhodium, Silicon,Titanium, Tantalum, Titanium, Tungsten, Zirconium, and their alloys,compounds, and structures such as, but not limited to, Graphene, SiliconOxides, Silicon Carbide, Zinc Aluminum Cadmium Alloy, Aluminum MagnesiumAlloy, Nickel Aluminum Alloy, Beryllium Copper Alloy, Molybdenum RheniumAlloy, Molybdenum Lanthanum Alloy, Tungsten Rhenium Alloy, NickelTitanium, Tantalum Niobium Alloy, Tantalum Tungsten Alloy, or any otherappropriate material. Coating, cladding, and/or forming composites canbe done through vapor deposition (physical and chemical), chemical andelectrochemical techniques, spraying, roll-to-roll coating, and/or otherphysical coating means.

The thickness of the Reinforcing Material coating, cladding and/or skinof the composite fiber should great enough such to provide the creationof the durable oxide layer with the Reinforcing Material that a) willprevent further oxidation with the HTS component powders during furthersintering and HTS crystal production and b) leave enough original fibermaterial, whether Reinforcing Material or Substrate, to provide thephysical properties desired from the reinforcing fiber. These physicalproperties include strength, connections with other fibers, structure,pliability and flexibility, as well as flux pinning properties includingferromagnetic infusions, etc. For example, with SiC ReinforcingMaterial, thicknesses below 1.5 μm react too much during HTS formation.In some embodiments, a core fiber comprises a metal and a reinforcingmaterial comprises SiC. In various embodiments, the core fiber is 5, 10,15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600,700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 5000 nm, 500 um, 200 um, 100 um,50 um, 40 um, 30 um, 20 um, 10 um, or any other appropriate in diameter.In various embodiments, the reinforcing material is 5, 10, 15, 20, 30,40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800,900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 5000, 10000, 50000, 100000 nm, or any otherappropriate thickness around the core fiber. In various embodiments, thecore fiber and the reinforcing material have a combined outer diameterof 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, 500,600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 5000, 10000, 50000, 100000,500000 nm, or any other appropriate overall diameter. In variousembodiments, the ratio of the thicknesses or diameters of a core fiberand HTS reinforcing material are 1:100, 1:50, 1:20, 1:10, 1:5, 1:4, 1:3,1:2, 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 10:1, 20:1, 50:1, 100:1, or any otherappropriate ratio.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a composition. In theexample shown, a continuous fiber comprising a core (e.g., heat/electriccurrent conducting core 200) and a reinforcing material (e.g., HTSreinforcing material 202) is one of a plurality of continuous fiber thatis embedded in a HTS superconductor material. In some embodiments, aplurality continuous ordered fibers embedded in a high temperaturesuperconducting material, wherein the plurality of continuous orderedfibers comprise a core and a reinforcing material. In the example shown,heat/electric current conducting core 200 comprises one or more of thefollowing: a material with desired heat conduction, a material withdesired electrical conduction (e.g., carbon and carbide material as wellas metals and metal alloys of aluminum, silver, gold, copper, platinum,zinc, tungsten, etc.), a material with desired electrical conduction(e.g., metals and metal alloys of aluminum, silver, gold, copper,platinum, zinc, tungsten, etc.), a material with desired elasticity(e.g., metals and metal alloys of aluminum, silver, gold, copper,platinum, zinc, tungsten, etc.), a material with desired flexibility(e.g., metals and metal alloys of aluminum, silver, gold, copper,platinum, zinc, tungsten, etc.), and/or a material with desired strength(e.g., carbon and carbide material as well as metals and metal alloys ofsilver, gold, copper, platinum, zinc, tungsten, etc.).

A reinforced superconducting composition comprises one or morecontinuous fibers that is/are embedded in a high temperaturesuperconducting (HTS) material. The fibers are of sufficiently longlength or sufficiently large aspect ratio (the ratio of fiber length towidth) such that the fibers do not migrate, agglomerate, nor reactsufficiently during HTS sintering and crystallization to weaken thefinal HTS material below that of unreinforced HTS. Fibers can beconnected together in structures so that they do not migrate,agglomerate nor react sufficiently during HTS sintering andcrystallization to weaken the final HTS material below that ofunreinforced HTS. In some embodiments, the fibers are long in the eventthat the fibers span the HTS from one edge to another. In variousembodiments, the fibers are 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 50 mm long,or any other appropriate length. In various embodiments, the fibers arecomposed of continuous ordered multiple fiber filament bundles and/orbraids, and/or non-continuous strands in multiple fiber filament bundlesand/or braids, which may or may not be composed as threads and/orbraids, or any other appropriate multiple fiber arrangements. In someembodiments, the multiple fiber bundles or braids enables longer orcontinuous production of HTS reinforced materials by not requiring thata single fiber be continuous and instead using a bundle or braid wherethe fibers of the bundle or braid have staggered breaks.

In some embodiments, the one or more continuous fibers is/are comprisedof an element which a) has a high melting point and b) forms a verydurable oxide form that prevents contamination of a high temperaturesuperconducting material. In some embodiments, the one or morereinforcing materials (e.g., HTS reinforcing material 202) of thecontinuous fibers comprise SiC fiber. In various embodiments, the one ormore reinforcing materials (e.g., HTS reinforcing material 202) of thefibers comprise Silicon (Si), Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄), Silicatesincluding Silicon Dioxide (SiO₂), Boron (B), Boron Carbide (B₄C), BoronNitride (BN), Chromium (Cr), Chromium Carbides (Cr₃C₂, Cr₇C₃, Cr₂₃C₆),Chromium Nitrides (CrN, Cr₂N), Hafnium Carbide (HfC), Zirconium Carbide(ZrC), Zirconium Nitride (ZrN), Zirconium Diboride (ZrB₂), Titanium(Ti), Titanium Carbide (TiC), Titanium nitride (TiN), Tungsten Carbide(WC), Aluminum (Al), Alumina (Al₂O₃), Aluminum Carbide (Al₄C₃), AluminumNitride (AlN), Titanium Aluminum Nitride (TiAlN), Aluminum TitaniumNitride (AlTiN), or any other appropriate material. These materials arereferred to herein as Reinforcing Materials.

In various embodiments, the high temperature superconducting materialthat the composite fiber is embedded in comprises one or more of thefollowing: a ceramic material, a copper oxide material, a rare earthcopper oxide material (RE)BCO (e.g., (RE)Ba₂Cu₃O₇), an iron arsenidematerial, an iron selenide material, a LaBaCuO material, a LaSrCuOmaterial, a LaSrCaCuO material, a YBaCuO material, a BiSrCaCuO material,a TiBaCaCuO material, a HgBACaCuO material, a HgTiBaCaCuO material, aLnFeAs(O,F) material, a (Ba, K, Li, Na)FeAs material, a FeSe material, aMgB material, a BKBO material, a RbCsC material, a YbPdBC material, aNbGe material, or any other appropriate material. Note that RE standsfor a rare earth element, where the rare earth elements include cerium(Ce), dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd),holmium (Ho), lanthanum (La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium (Nd),praseodymium (Pr), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc),terbium (Tb), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and yttrium (Y). Thesematerials are typically made by heating the component powders in theappropriate proportions until they anneal and then cooling until acrystal is formed.

The disclosed features/characteristics of Multi-Component HeatConducting Reinforcement Fiber is that a heat/electric currentconducting substrate fiber (e.g., heat/electric current conducting core200) is coated, cladded and/or composited with Reinforcing Material(e.g., HTS reinforcing material 202) to produce a mixed HTS reinforcingfiber, which conducts heat and electric current more efficiently thansingle compound reinforcing fibers (e.g., SiC). This will allow better4D Control of AC Loss heat and micro-magnetic fields.

In various embodiments, the current conducting core fiber is 5, 10, 15,20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700,800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 5000 nm, 500 um, 200 um, 100 um, 50um, 40 um, 30 um, 20 um, 10 um, or any other appropriate in diameter. Invarious embodiments, the reinforcing material is 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40,50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900,1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 5000, 10000, 50000, 100000 nm, or any otherappropriate thickness around the core fiber. In various embodiments, thecurrent conducting core fiber and the reinforcing material have acombined outer diameter of 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100,150, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500,5000, 10000, 50000, 100000, 500000 nm, or any other appropriate overalldiameter. In various embodiments, the ratio of the thicknesses ordiameters of a current conducting core fiber and HTS reinforcingmaterial are 1:100, 1:50, 1:20, 1:10, 1:5, 1:4, 1:3, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, 3:1,4:1, 5:1, 10:1, 20:1, 50:1, 100:1, or any other appropriate ratio.

Fiber for Flux Pinning

Reinforcement fiber can improve HTS performance by Flux Pinning. FluxPinning raises the maximum current/magnetic field/voltage an HTS cancarry before it quenches (stops superconducting). Flux Pinning involvesstopping the movement of microscopic magnetic Flux Vortices which passthrough an HTS in its most useful superconducting state. A current in anHTS, puts force on these vortices. If the vortices move, resistance tothe current is created, heat is generated, and the HTS eventuallyquenches. Impurities and defects in HTS crystal createnon-superconducting areas. Vortices stick to these areas because lessenergy is needed to keep their magnetic flux under control. These pinnedvortices need larger forces to move them which raise the maximumcurrent/magnetic field the HTS can withstand before quenching.Experiments to create impurities/defects in HTS include adding particlesto HTS component powder before sintering, gas diffusion, andirradiation. These are challenged by the delicate nature of HTScrystallization and structure. No Flux Pinning method has seenwidespread commercial use. In various embodiments, Reinforcement Fiberimproves Flux Pinning by one or more of the following: 1) physically asan impurity defect, 2) strength-wise by allowing the use of Flux Pinningimprovement methods which normally weaken HTS, and 3) magnetically whenthe fiber is infused with ferromagnetic particles, or any otherappropriate manner.

I. Fiber Flux Pinning: Physical

FIG. 3 is a table illustrating an embodiment of materials for fluxpinning. In the example shown, materials that can be added to HTSmaterials as defects. In some embodiments, a small diameter fiber isadded for flux pinning purposes. In various embodiments, one or morematerials (e.g., Nb—Ti, Nb—N, Nb₃Sn, MgB₂, YBa₂Cu₃O₇, Bi-2223, etc.), asshown in column 300, are used for flux pinning by embedding the one ormore materials into the HTS material, the HTS reinforcing material, or acore material.

Fiber itself creates non-superconducting zones (defects) for FluxPinning. Defects pin flux when they are tiny—on the same order as ξ andλ shown in the table of FIG. 3 (e.g., column 302 and column 304,respectively). Though fiber diameters are larger than the defects,fibers can create small defects on the order (tens of nanometers) at thefiber-HTS boundaries.

Flux Pinning is more effective when the number of pin sites approachesthe large number of vortices (which are tiny on the order of λ above).More fiber surface area for a given volume of HTS is provided by smallerfibers. Thus an efficient arrangement of reinforcement fiber would be amix of larger fibers for strength and smaller fibers for Flux Pinning.For example, a set of fibers as small in diameter as 1.5 μm and a set oflarger fibers as large in diameter as 100 μm could be intermixed insidean HTS material.

In some embodiments, the small diameter fiber is added in addition tolarge diameter fiber. In various embodiments, the large diameter fiberis 2×, 3×, 4×, 5×, 6×, 7×, 8×, 9×, 10×, 15×, 20×, 30×, 50×, 100×, or anyother appropriate multiplier in diameter compared to the small diameterfiber.

FIG. 4 is diagram illustrating an embodiment of composition. In theexample shown, one or more large diameter continuous fibers (e.g., fiber400 or fiber 404) are embedded in a high temperature superconductingmaterial (e.g., material 402) and one or more small diameter continuousfibers (e.g., horizontal fiber 408, vertical fiber 406, or diagonalfiber 410) are embedded in a high temperature superconducting material(e.g., material 402). In some embodiments, a small diameter fiber isadded for flux pinning purposes. In some embodiments, the small diameterfiber is added in addition to large diameter fiber. In variousembodiments, the large diameter fiber is 2×, 3×, 4×, 5×, 6×, 7×, 8×, 9×,10×, 15×, 20×, 30×, 50×, 100×, or any other appropriate multiplier indiameter compared to the small diameter fiber. In various embodiments,the one or more small diameter continuous fibers are 1 um, 1.5 um, 2 um,5 um, 10 um in diameter or any other appropriate diameter. In variousembodiments, the one or more small large continuous fibers are 100 um,200 um, 500 um, 1000 um in diameter, or any other appropriate diameter.The multiple strands of the small diameter continuous fibers (e.g.,horizontal fiber 408, vertical fiber 406, or diagonal fiber 410) createflux pinning nodes (e.g., node 412, node 414, node 416, etc.) inmultiple dimensions in the volume of the high temperaturesuperconducting material (e.g., material 402).

In various embodiments, the high temperature superconducting material(e.g., material 402) comprises one or more of the following: a ceramicmaterial, a copper oxide material, a rare earth copper oxide material(RE)BCO (e.g., (RE)Ba₂Cu₃O₇), an iron arsenide material, an ironselenide material, a LaBaCuO material, a LaSrCuO material, a LaSrCaCuOmaterial, a YBaCuO material, a BiSrCaCuO material, a TiBaCaCuO material,a HgBACaCuO material, a HgTiBaCaCuO material, a LnFeAs(O,F) material, a(Ba, K, Li, Na)FeAs material, a FeSe material, a MgB material, a BKBOmaterial, a RbCsC material, a YbPdBC material, a NbGe material, and/orany other appropriate material. Note that RE stands for a rare earthelement, where the rare earth elements include cerium (Ce), dysprosium(Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), holmium (Ho),lanthanum (La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr),promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc), terbium (Tb), thulium(Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and yttrium (Y).

In various embodiments, the one or more large continuous fibers (e.g.,fiber 400 or fiber 404) and/or the one or more small continuous fibers(e.g., horizontal fiber 408, vertical fiber 406, or diagonal fiber 410)is/are comprised of one or more of the following: Silicon (Si), SiliconCarbide (SiC), Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄), Silicates including SiliconDioxide (SiO₂), Boron (B), Boron Carbide (B₄C), Boron Nitride (BN),Chromium (Cr), Chromium Carbides (Cr₃C₂, Cr₇C₃, Cr₂₃C₆), ChromiumNitrides (CrN, Cr₂N), Hafnium Carbide (HfC), Zirconium Carbide (ZrC),Zirconium Nitride (ZrN), Zirconium Diboride (ZrB₂), Titanium (Ti),Titanium Carbide (TiC), Titanium nitride (TiN), Tungsten Carbide (WC),Aluminum (Al), Alumina (Al₂O₃), Aluminum Carbide (Al₄C₃), AluminumNitride (AlN), Titanium Aluminum Nitride (TiAlN), Aluminum TitaniumNitride (AlTiN), and/or any other appropriate material.

In some embodiments, the large diameter fibers (e.g., fiber 400 or fiber404) comprise bundles or braids of fibers either with a core or withouta core. In some embodiments, the fibers of the bundle are continuous orare discontinuous with the breaks of the fibers staggered with respectto one another.

II. Fiber Flux Pinning: Strength for Flux Pinning Improvement

FIG. 5 is diagram illustrating an embodiment of composition. In theexample shown, a flux pinning defect material (e.g., flux pinningmaterial 510 and flux pinning material 514) is added to a HTS material(e.g., HTS material 500, HTS material 502, HTS material 506, HTSmaterial 512, HTS material 516, and HTS material 522) and fiberreinforcement material (e.g., fiber 520 and fiber 526) is added to theHTS material. Flux pinning material 510 and flux pinning material 514causes weakness in the HTS material that is counteracted by the fiberreinforcement material. In the example shown, in the top row of FIG. 5pinning material 510 is added to HTS material 500, which creates defectsites 504 in HTS material 502 during sintering and HTS formation.Without fiber reinforcement, in the HTS material 506 after sinteringdefect 509 and others formed in HTS material 506 cause stress failurefrom weakness 508 in HTS material 506. In the example shown, in thebottom row of FIG. 5 pinning material 514 is added to HTS material 512,which creates defect sites 518 in HTS material 516 during sintering andHTS formation. With fiber reinforcement from fibers (e.g., fiber 520),in the HTS material 516 after sintering defect 524 and others formed inHTS material 522 do not cause stress failure from weakness in HTSmaterial 522. In various embodiments, the pinning material 514 comprises10%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, 0.01%, or any otherappropriate percentage of the overall material forming the final HTScrystal.

Flux pinning sites can be created by adding materials to HTS componentpowder before sintering. The materials either become impurity defects(e.g., defect 504, defect 509, defect 518, and defect 524) or react tocreate impurity defects for Flux Pinning sites. However, a majorchallenge is that the added material agglomerates and/or reacts with HTScomponents causing the resultant HTS crystal to be much weaker (and failsooner) than without the additional material.

Reinforcement fiber (e.g., fiber 520 and fiber 526) boosts Flux Pinningby providing strength to offset the weakness caused by the addedmaterial. For example, in some embodiments, non-superconductingY₂Ba₄CuMO_(x) (Y-2411(M)), where M=Nb, Ta, Mo, W, Ru, Zr, Bi and Ag,forms flux nano-sized pinning centers in HTS YBaCuO. However, adding Mand/or Y-2411(M) to HTS component powders complicates sintering andcrystallization resulting in an HTS crystal which is significantlyweaker with a consequent reduction in the critical current (Jc) which anHTS can carry before failing. When used in a multi-step processinvolving M and/or Y-2411(M), reinforcement fiber increases strengthproducing an HTS crystal with both better Flux Pinning and improvedstrength with higher Jc and performance.

In various embodiments, the flux pinning defect material comprises:Nb—Ti, Nb—N, Nb₃Sn, MgB2, YBa₂Cu₃O₇, Bi-2223, or any other appropriatematerial. These include both non-magnetic as well as magnetic materialssuch as ferromagnetic iron particles, cobalt particles, nickelparticles, alnico magnet particles, samarium-cobalt magnet particles,neodymium-iron-boron (NIB) magnet particles, or any other appropriateferromagnetic particles, as well as diamagnetic materials such as wateror water based materials, copper, mercury, gold, bismuth, and pyrolyticcarbon or any other appropriate magnetic particles.

In some embodiments the flux pinning defect material can be coated withprotective materials which oxidizes at the high temperatures of HTSsintering forming a protective durable layer which prevents furtheroxidation. This protective layer prevents further oxidation and otherchemical reactions with the flux pinning material thus reducingcontamination. In various embodiments, this protective material can beSilicon (Si), Silicon Carbide (SiC), Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄), Silicatesincluding Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), Boron (B), Boron Carbide (B₄C), BoronNitride (BN), Chromium (Cr), Chromium Carbides (Cr₃C₂, Cr₇C₃, Cr₂₃C₆),Chromium Nitrides (CrN, Cr₂N), Hafnium Carbide (HfC), Zirconium Carbide(ZrC), Zirconium Nitride (ZrN), Zirconium Diboride (ZrB₂), Titanium(Ti), Titanium Carbide (TiC), Titanium nitride (TiN), Tungsten Carbide(WC), Aluminum (Al), Alumina (Al₂O₃), Aluminum Carbide (Al₄C₃), AluminumNitride (AlN), Titanium Aluminum Nitride (TiAlN), Aluminum TitaniumNitride (AlTiN), or any other appropriate material.

In various embodiments, the high temperature superconducting materialcomprises one or more of the following: a ceramic material, a copperoxide material, a rare earth copper oxide material (RE)BCO (e.g.,(RE)Ba₂Cu₃O₇), an iron arsenide material, an iron selenide material, aLaBaCuO material, a LaSrCuO material, a LaSrCaCuO material, a YBaCuOmaterial, a BiSrCaCuO material, a TiBaCaCuO material, a HgBACaCuOmaterial, a HgTiBaCaCuO material, a LnFeAs(O,F) material, a (Ba, K, Li,Na)FeAs material, a FeSe material, a MgB material, a BKBO material, aRbCsC material, a YbPdBC material, a NbGe material, and/or any otherappropriate material. Note that RE stands for a rare earth element,where the rare earth elements include cerium (Ce), dysprosium (Dy),erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), holmium (Ho), lanthanum(La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), promethium (Pm),samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc), terbium (Tb), thulium (Tm), ytterbium(Yb), and yttrium (Y).

In some embodiments, the fiber is comprised of a reinforcing materialand in some cases a core material different from the reinforcingmaterial. In various embodiments, the reinforcing material comprises oneor more of the following: Silicon (Si), Silicon Carbide (SiC), SiliconNitride (Si₃N₄), Silicates including Silicon Dioxide (SiO₂), Boron (B),Boron Carbide (B₄C), Boron Nitride (BN), Chromium (Cr), ChromiumCarbides (Cr₃C₂, Cr₇C₃, Cr₂₃C₆), Chromium Nitrides (CrN, Cr₂N), HafniumCarbide (HfC), Zirconium Carbide (ZrC), Zirconium Nitride (ZrN),Zirconium Diboride (ZrB₂), Titanium (Ti), Titanium Carbide (TiC),Titanium nitride (TiN), Tungsten Carbide (WC), Aluminum (Al), Alumina(Al₂O₃), Aluminum Carbide (Al₄C₃), Aluminum Nitride (AlN), TitaniumAluminum Nitride (TiAlN), Aluminum Titanium Nitride (AlTiN), and/or anyother appropriate material.

III. Fiber Flux Pinning: Magnetic

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of magnetic particle fluxpinning. In the examples shown, one or more continuous fibers embeddedin a high temperature superconducting material, wherein a fiber of theone or more continuous fibers comprise flux pinning core 600 and HTSreinforcing material 604, and wherein one or more ferromagneticparticles 602 are embedded in the flux pinning core 600 of the fiber. Invarious embodiments, the ferromagnetic particles comprises 10%, 5%, 4%,3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, 0.01%, or any other appropriatepercentage of the overall material forming the flux pinning core 600 ofthe fiber.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a magnetic particleflux pinning. In the example shown, magnetic material (e.g., magneticparticles 702) embedded in core 700 boosts flux pinning in HTSreinforcing material 704. It will also boost flux pinning by a) usingmagnetic forces to pin magnetic flux vortices, which come in contactwith such magnetic particles, and b) repulsive magnetic forces betweenmagnetic materials will prevent agglomeration leading to less strengthreduction in HTS single crystal. In the example shown, although finishedHTS single crystal does not contain magnetic flux lines, magneticparticles whether as particles, coated particles, or withinReinforcement Material can form magnet flux lines (e.g., flux line 706)within these materials. Thus any flux vortices in contact with suchmaterials would be subject to magnetic forces which will bind the fluxvortices to the materials as shown in FIG. 7. In various embodiments,magnetic particles 702 comprise one or more of the following:ferromagnetic iron particles, cobalt particles, nickel particles, alnicomagnet particles, samarium-cobalt magnet particles, neodymium-iron-boron(NIB) magnet particles, as well as diamagnetic materials such as wateror water based materials, copper, mercury, gold, bismuth, and pyrolyticcarbon or any other appropriate magnetic particles. In variousembodiments, magnetic particles 702 comprises 10%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%,0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, 0.01%, or any other appropriate percentage of theoverall material forming core 700 of the fiber.

In some embodiments, small particles of magnetic material are infusedinto a fiber core coated, cladded, or composited with HTS ReinforcingMaterial. The layer of Reinforcing Material prevents contamination ofthe HTS during crystal formation. The ferromagnetic particles becomemagnetic near the magnetic flux lines of vortices. This attracts thevortices to the particles adding magnetic attraction to the flux pinningcaused by impurity/defect non-superconducting spots.

In various embodiments, the high temperature superconducting materialcomprises one or more of the following: a ceramic material, a copperoxide material, a rare earth copper oxide material (RE)BCO (e.g.,(RE)Ba₂Cu₃O₇), an iron arsenide material, an iron selenide material, aLaBaCuO material, a LaSrCuO material, a LaSrCaCuO material, a YBaCuOmaterial, a BiSrCaCuO material, a TiBaCaCuO material, a HgBACaCuOmaterial, a HgTiBaCaCuO material, a LnFeAs(O,F) material, a (Ba, K, Li,Na)FeAs material, a FeSe material, a MgB material, a BKBO material, aRbCsC material, a YbPdBC material, a NbGe material, and/or any otherappropriate material. Note that RE stands for a rare earth element,where the rare earth elements include cerium (Ce), dysprosium (Dy),erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), holmium (Ho), lanthanum(La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), promethium (Pm),samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc), terbium (Tb), thulium (Tm), ytterbium(Yb), and yttrium (Y).

In various embodiments, the reinforcing material comprises one or moreof the following: Silicon (Si), Silicon Carbide (SiC), Silicon Nitride(Si₃N₄), Silicates including Silicon Dioxide (SiO₂), Boron (B), BoronCarbide (B₄C), Boron Nitride (BN), Chromium (Cr), Chromium Carbides(Cr₃C₂, Cr₇C₃, Cr₂₃C₆), Chromium Nitrides (CrN, Cr₂N), Hafnium Carbide(HfC), Zirconium Carbide (ZrC), Zirconium Nitride (ZrN), ZirconiumDiboride (ZrB₂), Titanium (Ti), Titanium Carbide (TiC), Titanium nitride(TiN), Tungsten Carbide (WC), Aluminum (Al), Alumina (Al₂O₃), AluminumCarbide (Al₄C₃), Aluminum Nitride (AlN), Titanium Aluminum Nitride(TiAlN), Aluminum Titanium Nitride (AlTiN), or any other appropriatematerial.

The disclosed features/characteristics are that reinforcement fiber canbe used for improved Flux Pinning of HTS by a) the fiber itself actingas a micro-defect and/or creating micro-defects at fiber-HTS boundarieswhich attract vortices, b) combining thin fiber for Flux Pinning withthicker fiber for reinforcement in HTS fiber reinforcement structures toincrease the number of flux pinning spots in an HTS, c) improved HTSstrength with fiber reinforcement allowing the use of added material andprocedures which increase Flux Pinning sites but would weaken the finalHTS crystal without fiber reinforcement, and d) infusing ferromagneticparticles in the core of a coated, clad, or composite ReinforcementFiber for magnetic Flux Pinning in addition to physical flux pinning.

Fiber Reinforced HTS with Longitudinal A-b Axis

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating axes in an HTS material. In the exampleshown, an HTS crystal 800 has a cylindrical shape. C-axis 806 is alongthe axis of the cylindrical shape of HTS crystal 800 (e.g., up and downin FIG. 8). A-axis 802 and b-axis 804 are in a plane perpendicular tothe axis of the cylindrical shape of HTS crystal 800 and parallel to theends of the cylinder. Electrical superconductivity occurs in the planedefined by a-axis 802 and b-axis 804.

For most HTS applications superconductivity along a longitudinal axis isneeded similar to how electric currents travels along a metallic wire.But current bulk HTS batch processing production relies on crystalgrowth from a seed crystal along its c-axis (e.g., the directionassociated with c-axis 806).

FIG. 9 is diagram illustrating a process for seeding HTS crystal growth.In the example shown, seed crystal 900 with orientation of c-axis 906going up and down along the cylinder axis of seed crystal 900 and a-axis902 and b-axis 904, which are both perpendicular to the cylinder axis ofseed crystal 900 (e.g., in a horizontal plane) are shown. Seed crystal900 is put in contact (e.g., on a surface that is approximately an a-bplane) with HTS component materials 908 that are heated and allowed tocrystalize. The seed crystal acts to orient the HTS component materialcrystallization so that the axes are similar in the growing crystal inorientation to seed crystal 900. In the example shown in FIG. 9, crystalgrowth 910 is along the b-axis. After crystallization is complete seedcrystal 900 is detached from the grown HTS crystal by cleaving, cutting,or any other separating method.

In some embodiments, the HTS process for growing a HTS crystal includesgrowing a longitudinal a-b plane high temperature superconductingcrystal with long fiber reinforced seed crystal (e.g., seed crystal900); and cutting off the long fiber reinforced seed crystal from thelongitudinal a-b plane high temperature superconducting crystal. In someembodiments, the seed crystal is placed in contact with HTS constituentcomponent powders or compressed component powders, heated to allow thecomponent powders to anneal or melt and crystalize into a crystal, andthen the seed crystal is removed from contact with the newly annealed orcrystalized crystal for reuse. In various embodiments, removal comprisescutting, cleaving, sawing, laser cutting, or any other appropriateseparation technique.

In various embodiments, the high temperature superconducting material orcomponent powders for the high temperature superconducting materialcomprises one or more of the following: a ceramic material, a copperoxide material, a rare earth copper oxide material (RE)BCO (e.g.,(RE)Ba₂Cu₃O₇), an iron arsenide material, an iron selenide material, aLaBaCuO material, a LaSrCuO material, a LaSrCaCuO material, a YBaCuOmaterial, a BiSrCaCuO material, a TiBaCaCuO material, a HgBACaCuOmaterial, a HgTiBaCaCuO material, a LnFeAs(O,F) material, a (Ba, K, Li,Na)FeAs material, a FeSe material, a MgB material, a BKBO material, aRbCsC material, a YbPdBC material, a NbGe material, and/or any otherhigh temperature superconducting material. Note that RE stands for arare earth element, where the rare earth elements include cerium (Ce),dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), holmium(Ho), lanthanum (La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr),promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc), terbium (Tb), thulium(Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and yttrium (Y).

In various embodiments, the seed crystal includes fibers comprising oneor more of the following: Silicon (Si), Silicon Carbide (SiC), SiliconNitride (Si₃N₄), Silicates including Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), Boron (B),Boron Carbide (B₄C), Boron Nitride (BN), Chromium (Cr), ChromiumCarbides (Cr₃C₂, Cr₇C₃, Cr₂₃C₆), Chromium Nitrides (CrN, Cr₂N), HafniumCarbide (HfC), Zirconium Carbide (ZrC), Zirconium Nitride (ZrN),Zirconium Diboride (ZrB₂), Titanium (Ti), Titanium Carbide (TiC),Titanium nitride (TiN), Tungsten Carbide (WC), Aluminum (Al), Alumina(Al₂O₃), Aluminum Carbide (Al₄C₃), Aluminum Nitride (AlN), TitaniumAluminum Nitride (TiAlN), and/or Aluminum Titanium Nitride (AlTiN),and/or any other appropriate material.

In various embodiments, the fiber reinforced seed crystal (e.g., seedcrystal 900) comprises a cylinder seed crystal, a rectangular crystal, awheel shaped crystal, or any appropriate shaped crystal.

FIG. 10 is diagram illustrating a process for seeding HTS crystalgrowth. In the example shown, seed crystal 1000 with the orientation ofc-axis 1006 going up and down along the cylinder axis of seed crystal1000 and a-axis 1002 and b-axis 1004 being perpendicular to the cylinderaxis (e.g., in a horizontal plane) of seed crystal 1000 are shown. Seedcrystal 1000 is put in contact (e.g., on a surface that is approximatelyan a-b plane) with HTS component materials that are heated and allowedto crystalize in zone 1008. Seed crystal 1000 acts to orient the HTScomponent material crystallization so that the axes are similar in thegrowing crystal in orientation to seed crystal 1000. In the exampleshown in FIG. 10, crystal growth 1010 is along a direction aligned withc-axis 1006. After crystallization is complete seed crystal 1000 isdetached from grown HTS crystal 1014 by cleaving, cutting, or any otherseparating method. In some embodiments, the continuous production methodcreates a long HTS crystal with a longitudinal c-axis (e.g., withproduction direction 1012). Superconductivity currents within grown HTScrystal 1014 would be limited to the short radial distance from thecrystal's center to its sides as shown by arrows 1016—in other wordswithin a given a-b plane.

In some embodiments, the HTS process for growing a HTS crystal includesgrowing a longitudinal c-axis high temperature superconducting crystalwith long fiber reinforced seed crystal; and cutting off the long fiberreinforced seed crystal (e.g., seed crystal 1000) from the longitudinala-b plane high temperature superconducting crystal. In some embodiments,seed crystal 1000 is placed in contact with HTS constituent componentpowders or compressed component powders, heated to allow the componentpowders to anneal or melt and crystalize into a crystal, and then seedcrystal 1000 is removed from contact with the newly annealed orcrystalized crystal for reuse. In various embodiments, removal comprisescutting, cleaving, sawing, laser cutting, or any other appropriateseparation technique.

In various embodiments, the high temperature superconducting material orcomponent powders for the high temperature superconducting materialcomprises one or more of the following: a ceramic material, a copperoxide material, a rare earth copper oxide material (RE)BCO (e.g.,(RE)Ba₂Cu₃O₇), an iron arsenide material, an iron selenide material, aLaBaCuO material, a LaSrCuO material, a LaSrCaCuO material, a YBaCuOmaterial, a BiSrCaCuO material, a TiBaCaCuO material, a HgBACaCuOmaterial, a HgTiBaCaCuO material, a LnFeAs(O,F) material, a (Ba, K, Li,Na)FeAs material, a FeSe material, a MgB material, a BKBO material, aRbCsC material, a YbPdBC material, a NbGe material, and/or any otherhigh temperature superconducting material. Note that RE stands for arare earth element, where the rare earth elements include cerium (Ce),dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), holmium(Ho), lanthanum (La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr),promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc), terbium (Tb), thulium(Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and yttrium (Y).

In various embodiments, seed crystal 1000 includes fibers comprising oneor more of the following: Silicon (Si), Silicon Carbide (SiC), SiliconNitride (Si₃N₄), Silicates including Silicon Dioxide (SiO₂), Boron (B),Boron Carbide (B₄C), Boron Nitride (BN), Chromium (Cr), ChromiumCarbides (Cr₃C₂, Cr₇C₃, Cr₂₃C₆), Chromium Nitrides (CrN, Cr₂N), HafniumCarbide (HfC), Zirconium Carbide (ZrC), Zirconium Nitride (ZrN),Zirconium Diboride (ZrB₂), Titanium (Ti), Titanium Carbide (TiC),Titanium nitride (TiN), Tungsten Carbide (WC), Aluminum (Al), Alumina(Al₂O₃), Aluminum Carbide (Al₄C₃), Aluminum Nitride (AlN), TitaniumAluminum Nitride (TiAlN), and/or Aluminum Titanium Nitride (AlTiN),and/or any other appropriate material.

In various embodiments, the fiber reinforced seed crystal comprises acylinder seed crystal, a rectangular crystal, a wheel shaped crystal, orany appropriate shaped crystal.

FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating a process for seeding HTS crystalgrowth. In the example shown, seed crystal 1106 (e.g., an HTS seedcrystal) with the orientation along c-axis 1100 going up and down isshown. Seed crystal 1106 is put in contact (e.g., on surface that isapproximately a plane defined by a-axis 1104 and b-axis 1102) with HTScomponent materials that are heated/melted into melting powder 1110 andallowed to crystalize into HTS crystal 1108. Seed crystal 1106 acts toorient the HTS component material crystallization so that the axes aresimilar in the growing crystal in orientation to seed crystal 1106. Inthe example shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the crystal growth is along thea-axis. After crystallization is complete, seed crystal 1106 is detachedfrom the grown HTS crystal 1108 by cleaving, cutting, or any otherseparating method. HTS crystal 1108 is able to carry current in electriccurrent direction 1112.

In some embodiments, a fiber reinforced HTS crystal (e.g., seed crystal1106) is grown with a longitudinal a-b plane by using a long fiberreinforced seed crystal. After HTS crystal 1108 formation and cooling,seed crystal 1106 is cut off and recycled for further use. The resultingHTS crystal 1108 will be much stronger for physical manipulation such aswinding, and can carry much more current than exiting solutions usingPowder-in-tube (PIT) or Coated HTS materials.

In some embodiments, the HTS process for growing HTS crystal 1108includes growing a longitudinal a-axis high temperature superconductingcrystal using seed crystal 1106 with long fiber reinforcement; andcutting off seed crystal 1106 from the longitudinal a-b plane grown HTScrystal 1108. In some embodiments, seed crystal 1106 is placed incontact with HTS constituent component powders or compressed componentpowders, heated to allow the component powders to anneal or melt intomelting powder 1110 and crystalize into HTS crystal 1108, and then seedcrystal 1106 is removed from contact with the newly annealed orcrystalized crystal for reuse. In various embodiments, removal comprisescutting, cleaving, sawing, laser cutting, or any other appropriateseparation technique.

In various embodiments, the high temperature superconducting material orcomponent powders for the high temperature superconducting material inmelting powder 1110 comprises one or more of the following: a ceramicmaterial, a copper oxide material, a rare earth copper oxide material(RE)BCO (e.g., (RE)Ba₂Cu₃O₇), an iron arsenide material, an ironselenide material, a LaBaCuO material, a LaSrCuO material, a LaSrCaCuOmaterial, a YBaCuO material, a BiSrCaCuO material, a TiBaCaCuO material,a HgBACaCuO material, a HgTiBaCaCuO material, a LnFeAs(O,F) material, a(Ba, K, Li, Na)FeAs material, a FeSe material, a MgB material, a BKBOmaterial, a RbCsC material, a YbPdBC material, a NbGe material, and/orany other high temperature superconducting material. Note that RE standsfor a rare earth element, where the rare earth elements include cerium(Ce), dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd),holmium (Ho), lanthanum (La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium (Nd),praseodymium (Pr), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc),terbium (Tb), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and yttrium (Y).

In various embodiments, seed crystal 1106 includes fibers comprising oneor more of the following: Silicon (Si), Silicon Carbide (SiC), SiliconNitride (Si₃N₄), Silicates including Silicon Dioxide (SiO₂), Boron (B),Boron Carbide (B₄C), Boron Nitride (BN), Chromium (Cr), ChromiumCarbides (Cr₃C₂, Cr₇C₃, Cr₂₃C₆), Chromium Nitrides (CrN, Cr₂N), HafniumCarbide (HfC), Zirconium Carbide (ZrC), Zirconium Nitride (ZrN),Zirconium Diboride (ZrB₂), Titanium (Ti), Titanium Carbide (TiC),Titanium nitride (TiN), Tungsten Carbide (WC), Aluminum (Al), Alumina(Al₂O₃), Aluminum Carbide (Al₄C₃), Aluminum Nitride (AlN), TitaniumAluminum Nitride (TiAlN), and/or Aluminum Titanium Nitride (AlTiN),and/or any other appropriate material.

In various embodiments, the fiber reinforced seed crystal comprises arectangular crystal or any appropriate shaped crystal.

FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process producingHTS crystals. In the example shown, HTS crystal 1122 is grown inproduction direction 1120. Seed crystal 1124 is separated after HTScrystal 1122 is formed to be reused for other HTS crystal formation.Production direction 1120 is along a-axis direction 1134. Seed crystal1124 sits on top of HTS crystal 1122 in c-axis 1130 direction on a planedefined by a-axis 1134 and b-axis 1132.

The disclosed features/characteristics of Fiber Reinforced HTS withLongitudinal a or b Axis are: a) using seed crystal 1106 or seed crystal1124 to grow a long HTS crystal with a longitudinal electricityconductive a or b axis, b) seed crystal 1106 or seed crystal 1124 can becut off grown HTS crystal 1108 or HTS crystal 1122 and reused, and c)HTS crystal 1108 or HTS crystal 1122 will be cheaper, stronger, highercapacity, and more capable of 4D Control of Heat and Micro-magneticFields than PIT and Coated HTS wires and tapes.

Continuous Production of Fiber Reinforced HTS with Longitudinal a-b Axis

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a process for seeding HTS crystalgrowth. In the example shown, seed crystal 1200 is shown with theorientation of c-axis 1210 of seed crystal 1200 going up and down whenin contact with the growing HTS crystal 1202. Seed crystal 1200 is awheel and when put in contact (e.g., on surface that is approximately aplane defined by a-axis 1214 and b-axis 1212 of crystal at bottom ofseed crystal 1200) with HTS component materials that are heated andallowed to crystalize. Seed crystal 1200 is wheel shaped with c-axis ofseed crystal 1200 pointed along a radius of the wheel shape of seedcrystal 1200. Seed crystal 1200 acts to orient the HTS componentmaterial crystallization so that the axes are similar in the growingcrystal in orientation to seed crystal 1200. In the example shown inFIG. 12, the crystal growth is along production direction 1206 (e.g.,along a-axis 1214). After crystallization is complete seed crystal 1200is detached (e.g., rolled off or rolled off or cut or scraped off) fromthe grown HTS crystal 1202 by cleaving, cutting, or any other separatingmethod. HTS crystal 1202 is able to carry electric current in electriccurrent direction 1204.

Continuous production of fiber reinforced HTS with longitudinal a-b axisuses a rolling, fiber reinforced HTS Seed Crystal Wheel (e.g., seedcrystal 1200) during crystallization in Continuous Production. TheWheel's speed matches the speed of the production line. Aftercrystallization, the wheel is separated/cut from the complete HTS singlecrystal (e.g., HTS crystal 1202) which results in a reinforced HTSsingle crystal with longitudinal a-b axis. The Wheel rotates its seedcrystal rim back to the point of sintering and crystallization in theproduction line for reuse.

With special HTS reinforcement fiber structures, continuous productioncan produce continuous HTS Wire/tape with superconducting a-b axis thatis sufficiently strong and flexible for applications that previouslyused electricity conducting wire and/or tape.

In some embodiments, the HTS process for growing HTS crystal 1202includes growing a longitudinal a-axis high temperature superconductingcrystal with long fiber reinforced wheel seed crystal (e.g., seedcrystal 1200); and cutting off the long fiber reinforced wheel seedcrystal from the longitudinal a-b plane high temperature superconductingcrystal. In some embodiments, the wheel seed crystal is placed incontact with HTS constituent component powders or compressed componentpowders, heated to allow the component powders to anneal or melt intomelting powder 1216 and crystalize into a crystal, and then seed crystal1200 is removed from contact with the newly annealed or crystalized HTScrystal 1202 for reuse. In various embodiments, removal comprisescutting, cleaving, sawing, laser cutting, or any other appropriateseparation technique.

In various embodiments, the high temperature superconducting material orcomponent powders for the high temperature superconducting material inmelting powder 1216 comprises one or more of the following: a ceramicmaterial, a copper oxide material, a rare earth copper oxide material(RE)BCO (e.g., (RE)Ba₂Cu₃O₇), an iron arsenide material, an ironselenide material, a LaBaCuO material, a LaSrCuO material, a LaSrCaCuOmaterial, a YBaCuO material, a BiSrCaCuO material, a TiBaCaCuO material,a HgBACaCuO material, a HgTiBaCaCuO material, a LnFeAs(O,F) material, a(Ba, K, Li, Na)FeAs material, a FeSe material, a MgB material, a BKBOmaterial, a RbCsC material, a YbPdBC material, a NbGe material, and/orany other high temperature superconducting material. Note that RE standsfor a rare earth element, where the rare earth elements include cerium(Ce), dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd),holmium (Ho), lanthanum (La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium (Nd),praseodymium (Pr), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc),terbium (Tb), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and yttrium (Y).

In various embodiments, seed crystal 1200 includes fibers comprising oneor more of the following: Silicon (Si), Silicon Carbide (SiC), SiliconNitride (Si₃N₄), Silicates including Silicon Dioxide (SiO₂), Boron (B),Boron Carbide (B₄C), Boron Nitride (BN), Chromium (Cr), ChromiumCarbides (Cr₃C₂, Cr₇C₃, Cr₂₃C₆), Chromium Nitrides (CrN, Cr₂N), HafniumCarbide (HfC), Zirconium Carbide (ZrC), Zirconium Nitride (ZrN),Zirconium Diboride (ZrB₂), Titanium (Ti), Titanium Carbide (TiC),Titanium nitride (TiN), Tungsten Carbide (WC), Aluminum (Al), Alumina(Al₂O₃), Aluminum Carbide (Al₄C₃), Aluminum Nitride (AlN), TitaniumAluminum Nitride (TiAlN), and/or Aluminum Titanium Nitride (AlTiN),and/or any other appropriate material.

In various embodiments, the fiber reinforced seed crystal comprises asegmented crystal (e.g., a polygon, a hexagon, an octagon, a decagon,etc.), or any appropriate shaped crystal.

The disclosed features/characteristics of Continuous Production of FiberReinforced HTS With Longitudinal a or b Axes are: a) using a rolling,fiber reinforced HTS Seed Crystal Wheel during sintering andcrystallization in Continuous Production, b) fiber reinforcement willgive the Seed Crystal Wheel strength to withstand cutting and rotationreuse, and c) Continuous Production of Fiber Reinforced HTS WithLongitudinal a or b Axes will significantly raise production efficiencyand reduce costs for discrete HTS components and continuous HTSWire/tapes.

Using Intermediate Material with Fiber Reinforcement for Melt

Phase Stability in HTS Production

FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C are diagrams illustrating embodiments of aprocess for making a process for producing a HTS composition. In theexamples shown, intermediate solid state powders and/or particles (e.g.,intermediate particles 1300 of FIG. 13A) as well as high temperaturesuperconducting constituent powder particles (e.g., constituent powders1302 or FIG. 13A) for a HTS material are added to a mixture.Reinforcement fibers (e.g., reinforcement fibers 1304 or FIG. 13A) areplaced or disposed within the powders. In some embodiments, theintermediate solid state powders, high temperature superconductingconstituent powders, and the fiber reinforcement are compressed to forma high temperature superconducting shape. The high temperaturesuperconducting shape is heated to crystalize the high temperaturesuperconducting material. During the melt phase (e.g., liquid melt phase1312 of FIG. 13B) the constituent powders liquefy but the reinforcementfibers (e.g., reinforcement fibers 1314 of FIG. 13B) stabilize thematerials including the intermediate particles (e.g., intermediateparticles 1310 of FIG. 13B). As shown in FIG. 13C when the constituentpowders crystalize to create HTS crystal 1322, reinforcement fibers 1324reinforce the HTS crystal material with the intermediate particles 1320remaining within HTS crystal 1322.

In various embodiments, the high temperature superconducting constituentpowders (e.g., constituent powders 1302) are used to make a hightemperature superconducting material comprising one or more of thefollowing: a ceramic material, a copper oxide material, a rare earthcopper oxide material (RE)BCO (e.g., (RE)Ba₂Cu₃O₇), an iron arsenidematerial, an iron selenide material, a LaBaCuO material, a LaSrCuOmaterial, a LaSrCaCuO material, a YBaCuO material, a BiSrCaCuO material,a TiBaCaCuO material, a HgBACaCuO material, a HgTiBaCaCuO material, aLnFeAs(O,F) material, a (Ba, K, Li, Na)FeAs material, a FeSe material, aMgB material, a BKBO material, a RbCsC material, a YbPdBC material, aNbGe material, and/or any other appropriate material. Note that REstands for a rare earth element, where the rare earth elements includecerium (Ce), dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium(Gd), holmium (Ho), lanthanum (La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium (Nd),praseodymium (Pr), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc),terbium (Tb), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and yttrium (Y).

In various embodiments, the reinforcement fiber (e.g., reinforcementfibers 1304, reinforcement fibers 1314, and reinforcement fibers 1324)comprises one or more of the following: Silicon (Si), Silicon Carbide(SiC), Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄), Silicates including Silicon Dioxide(SiO₂), Boron (B), Boron Carbide (B₄C), Boron Nitride (BN), Chromium(Cr), Chromium Carbides (Cr₃C₂, Cr₇C₃, Cr₂₃C₆), Chromium Nitrides (CrN,Cr₂N), Hafnium Carbide (HfC), Zirconium Carbide (ZrC), Zirconium Nitride(ZrN), Zirconium Diboride (ZrB₂), Titanium (Ti), Titanium Carbide (TiC),Titanium nitride (TiN), Tungsten Carbide (WC), Aluminum (Al), Alumina(Al₂O₃), Aluminum Carbide (Al₄C₃), Aluminum Nitride (AlN), TitaniumAluminum Nitride (TiAlN), Aluminum Titanium Nitride (AlTiN), and/or anyother appropriate material.

In some embodiments, the intermediate solid state powders comprise Y-211powders.

Intermediate, non-superconducting solid states (e.g., intermediateparticles 1320) can be added and compressed with fiber reinforcement andconstituent powders efficiently to preform HTS shape before sintering.The Intermediate state particles together with the fiber reinforcementand careful heat control will contain the liquid melt phase within theshape as the constituent powders melt and crystalize as a solid HTS. Forexample, powder made of non-superconducting intermediatesY₂BaCuO₅(Y-211), (RE)₂BaCuOx, (RE)BaCuO, (RE)Ba₂Cu₃O_(7-x) can be usedwith fiber reinforcement for the production of HTS YBa₂Cu₃O_(7-x)(Y-123) and more generally (RE)Ba₂Cu₃O_(7-x) where RE stands for thevarious Rare Earth elements, where the rare earth elements includecerium (Ce), dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium(Gd), holmium (Ho), lanthanum (La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium (Nd),praseodymium (Pr), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc),terbium (Tb), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and yttrium (Y). Fiberreinforcement together with the added Y-211 will act to retain theliquid melt phase within the compacted shape of presintered HTS even asthe constituent powders melt and then crystallize as a solid HTScrystal.

Using the above process, the final HTS size will not suffer as much fromshrinkage and other defects.

The fiber will stablize Y-211 or other intermediates drifting causingbetter distribution and less agglomeration of remaining Y-211 particlesor other intermediates for better Flux Pinning.

The disclosed features/characteristics of using Intermediate Materialwith fiber reinforcement for melt phase stability in HTS production are:a) mixing and compressing Intermediate Material particles with fiberreinforcement and constituent powders to preform HTS shape beforesintering, b) the Intermediate state particles together with the fiberreinforcement and careful heat control will contain the liquid meltphase within the shape as the constituent powders melt and thencrystalize as a solid HTS, c) final HTS size will not suffer as muchfrom shrinkage and other defects, and d) the fiber will stablize Y-211or other intermediates drifting causing better distribution and lessagglomeration of remaining Y-211 particles or other intermediates forbetter Flux Pinning.

Segmented Fiber Reinforced HTS Wire/Tape: Batch Produced Segments

Segments of fiber reinforced HTS can be linked along their longitudinalsuperconducting a-b axis with malleable electrically conducting wire. Insome embodiments, the malleable electrically conducting wire comprisesthe one or more continuous fibers.

The resulting chain of HTS segments can be wound and manipulated intoshapes and forms such as cables, buses, shunts, solenoids, etc. due tothe flexibility of the connecting wire without excessively straining HTSsegment crystals.

The disclosed features/characteristics of making Segmented FiberReinforced HTS Wire/tape with batched produced segments are a) producinga chain of single crystal HTS reinforced segments linked along their a-baxis by linking batch produced HTS segments with malleable electricallyconducting wire, and b) the HTS Wire/tape can be wound and manipulatedinto shapes and forms such as cables, solenoids, etc. due to theflexibility of the connecting wire without excessively straining HTSsegment crystals. This will make HTS Wire/tape which is stronger, highercapacity, and more capable of 4D Control of Heat and Micro-magneticFields than PIT and Coated HTS.

Segmented Fiber Reinforced HTS Wire/Tape: Continuously Produced Segments

FIG. 14A is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a process forproducing a HTS reinforced composition. In the example shown,reinforcement fiber 1404 are assembled to create assembled fiber 1408 byproduction machine 1406. In some embodiments, assembled fiber 1404comprises one type of fiber (e.g., reinforcement fiber is made of onetype of material). In some embodiments, assembled fiber 1404 comprisesmultiple types of fiber (e.g., reinforcement fiber is made of one typeof material that is to be within HTS segments and one type of materialthat is to be between HTS segments). For example, the assembled fiber1404 has strengthening fibers for HTS segments and flexible fibersbetween HTS segments. Assembled fiber 1408 is used to create fiberlinked segments of HTS 1410. Production machine 1406 receives HTScomponents 1400 which are transformed into HTS mix 1402 by grinding HTScomponents 1400 into powders and mixing. HTS mix 1402 is used to createa segment shape. The segment shape is heated to melt HTS mix 1402 andthen allowed to cool to crystallize into an HTS material withreinforcement fibers inside the HTS material and reinforcement fibersbetween the segment shapes. In various embodiments, the reinforcementfibers are in the shape of wires and/or tape, meshes, nets, or any otherappropriate structure or shape. In some embodiments, between thesegments of HTS material there is an intermediate material (e.g.,comprising a conducting material) along with the fiber reinforcementmaterial.

In various embodiments, the high temperature superconducting material(e.g., the HTS material of fiber linked segments of HTS) made from theHTS component powders comprises one or more of the following: a ceramicmaterial, a copper oxide material, a rare earth copper oxide material(RE)BCO (e.g., (RE)Ba₂Cu₃O₇), an iron arsenide material, an ironselenide material, a LaBaCuO material, a LaSrCuO material, a LaSrCaCuOmaterial, a YBaCuO material, a BiSrCaCuO material, a TiBaCaCuO material,a HgBACaCuO material, a HgTiBaCaCuO material, a LnFeAs(O,F) material, a(Ba, K, Li, Na)FeAs material, a FeSe material, a MgB material, a BKBOmaterial, a RbCsC material, a YbPdBC material, a NbGe material, and/orany other appropriate material. Note that RE stands for a rare earthelement, where the rare earth elements include cerium (Ce), dysprosium(Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), holmium (Ho),lanthanum (La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr),promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc), terbium (Tb), thulium(Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and yttrium (Y).

In various embodiments, the reinforcement fibers (e.g., reinforcementfiber 1404 that are assembled into assembled fiber 1408 and linksegments of fiber linked segments of HTS 1410) comprise one or more ofthe following: Silicon (Si), Silicon Carbide (SiC), Silicon Nitride(Si₃N₄), Silicates including Silicon Dioxide (SiO₂), Boron (B), BoronCarbide (B₄C), Boron Nitride (BN), Chromium (Cr), Chromium Carbides(Cr₃C₂, Cr₇C₃, Cr₂₃C₆), Chromium Nitrides (CrN, Cr₂N), Hafnium Carbide(HfC), Zirconium Carbide (ZrC), Zirconium Nitride (ZrN), ZirconiumDiboride (ZrB₂), Titanium (Ti), Titanium Carbide (TiC), Titanium nitride(TiN), Tungsten Carbide (WC), Aluminum (Al), Alumina (Al₂O₃), AluminumCarbide (Al₄C₃), Aluminum Nitride (AlN), Titanium Aluminum Nitride(TiAlN), Aluminum Titanium Nitride (AlTiN), and/or any other appropriatematerial.

In continuous production, reinforcement fibers 1404 used to reinforcethe HTS can be extended beyond the segment's ends in the longitudinala-b lane to form the next HTS segment in a chain. In practice, thismeans that a continuous production line has regular intervals wherecomponent powders are not added to the reinforcement in a productioncasing. In some embodiments, the HTS segment form is maintained by usingIntermediate Material with Fiber Reinforcement for melt phase stability.The intermediate material can be removed after HTS crystal formation.For example, the intermediate material can have a higher melttemperature than HTS components 1400 and not be melted and crystalizedby production machine 1406. This creates a gap between HTS segmentsbridged by reinforcement fiber. If needed, electricity conductingmaterial can then be deposited on the bridging fiber and exposed HTSsegment ends through sputtering or other coating processes.

The disclosed features/characteristics of making Segmented FiberReinforced HTS Wire/tape with batched produced segments are a) producinga chain of single crystal HTS reinforced segments linked along their a-baxis by creating intervals in a continuous production line where HTScomponent powder is NOT deposited into the reinforcement+productioncasing before sintering creating gaps which are bridged by reinforcingfiber, b) HTS segment form is maintained by using Intermediate Materialwith Fiber Reinforcement for melt phase stability, c) once sintering andcrystallization are complete, deposit conducting material in the gapsbetween segments on the bridging reinforcement fibers and the exposedsegment ends, and d) the HTS Wire/tape can be wound and manipulated intoshapes and forms such as cables, solenoids, etc. due to the flexibilityof the connecting wire without excessively straining HTS segmentcrystals. Continuous production will increase production efficiency andlower costs significantly. This will make HTS Wire/tape which ischeaper, stronger, higher capacity, and more capable of 4D Control ofHeat and Micro-magnetic Fields than PIT and Coated HTS.

HTS Solenoids

Fiber Reinforced HTS can be used to make solenoids. Solenoids are themost widely used form of non-permanent magnets. Attempts to useunreinforced HTS in solenoids fail because brittle, single crystalunreinforced HTC is difficult to wrap or wind metallic wires withoutcracking.

The below disclosure describes three different processes to makeSolenoids from Fiber Reinforced HTS.

I. Winding Fiber Reinforced HTS Wire

a. Continuous

Continuous Fiber Reinforced HTS Wire/tape produced by continuousproduction is wound into a Solenoid coil with or without a ferromagneticcore. In some embodiments, braided or multi-stranded HTS structures arewound or formed into a coil form in order to create a solenoid. In someembodiments, braided or multi-stranded HTS structures include staggeredlengths of individual fibers to create the braided or multi-stranded HTSstructures.

The disclosed features/characteristics of making HTS Solenoids bywinding continuous Fiber Reinforced HTS Wire/tape are that fiberreinforcement in continuous production gives HTS sufficient strength andflexibility to be wound into solenoids without cracking.

b. Segmented

FIG. 14B is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a wound solenoid. Inthe example shown, HTS segments 1420 that are attached via assembledfiber 1422 are wound into a solenoid. Assembled fiber enablesflexibility to the series of HTS segments 1420. In some embodiments,assembled fiber 1422 enables strengthening of HTS segments 1420 as wellas electrical conductivity between segments.

In various embodiments, HTS segments 1420 comprises one or more of thefollowing: a ceramic material, a copper oxide material, a rare earthcopper oxide material (RE)BCO (e.g., (RE)Ba₂Cu₃O₇), an iron arsenidematerial, an iron selenide material, a LaBaCuO material, a LaSrCuOmaterial, a LaSrCaCuO material, a YBaCuO material, a BiSrCaCuO material,a TiBaCaCuO material, a HgBACaCuO material, a HgTiBaCaCuO material, aLnFeAs(O,F) material, a (Ba, K, Li, Na)FeAs material, a FeSe material, aMgB material, a BKBO material, a RbCsC material, a YbPdBC material, aNbGe material, and/or any other appropriate material. Note that REstands for a rare earth element, where the rare earth elements includecerium (Ce), dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium(Gd), holmium (Ho), lanthanum (La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium (Nd),praseodymium (Pr), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc),terbium (Tb), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and yttrium (Y).

In various embodiments, assembled fiber 1422 comprise one or more of thefollowing: Silicon (Si), Silicon Carbide (SiC), Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄),Silicates including Silicon Dioxide (SiO₂), Boron (B), Boron Carbide(B₄C), Boron Nitride (BN), Chromium (Cr), Chromium Carbides (Cr₃C₂,Cr₇C₃, Cr₂₃C₆), Chromium Nitrides (CrN, Cr₂N), Hafnium Carbide (HfC),Zirconium Carbide (ZrC), Zirconium Nitride (ZrN), Zirconium Diboride(ZrB₂), Titanium (Ti), Titanium Carbide (TiC), Titanium nitride (TiN),Tungsten Carbide (WC), Aluminum (Al), Alumina (Al₂O₃), Aluminum Carbide(Al₄C₃), Aluminum Nitride (AlN), Titanium Aluminum Nitride (TiAlN),Aluminum Titanium Nitride (AlTiN), and/or any other appropriatematerial.

In some embodiments, assembled fiber 1422 is coated after HTS segments1420 are formed. In some embodiments, the coating comprises anelectrically conductive coating.

Segmented Fiber Reinforced HTS Wire/tape produced by batch or continuousproduction is wound into a Solenoid coil with or without a ferromagneticcore.

The disclosed features/characteristics of making HTS Solenoids bywinding Segmented Fiber Reinforced HTS Wire/tape are a) connectingsmall, fiber reinforced HTS segments along their a-b planes withmalleable, conducting wire or reinforcing fiber coated with electricconducting material into a chain which mimics wire/tape, and b) windingthe HTS segment chain into a spiral to form an HTS Solenoid. Themalleable conducting wire/conductor coated reinforcing fiber allows thechain to be wound into a Solenoid while the HTS reinforcement providesstrength so that a) individual HTS single crystal segments can bephysically wound without cracking and b) individual segments can belarge/long enough to be economically and technically viable for Solenoiduse without cracking. This will make HTS Solenoids which are cheaper,stronger, higher capacity, and more capable of 4D Control of Heat andMicro-magnetic fields than PIT and Coated HTS.

II. Bore and Cut Process

FIGS. 15A-E are diagrams illustrating a process for creating a HTSsolenoid structure. In the example shown, seed crystal 1500 of FIG. 15Aruns down the bore of the solenoid structure. The process includes thefollowing steps:

-   -   1) form a reinforced fiber structure (e.g., fiber reinforcement        1502 of FIG. 15A) in the shape of a spiral to produce long a-b        axis Reinforced HTS crystal with a radial c axis (e.g., in close        up view seed crystal c-axes 1501 are shown pointed out along the        radius of the wire or rod). The HTS crystal is seeded from a        thin radial c-axis, pre-crystallized HTS wire or rod situated in        the middle of the constituent powder and reinforcement spiral.        In various embodiments, fiber reinforcement 1502 comprises a        single fiber, a braided fiber, a multi-stranded fiber, or any        other appropriate reinforcement fiber. Fiber reinforcement 1502        and seed crystal 1500 are embedded in HTS component powders and        then melted and allowed to cool to form an HTS crystal.    -   2) bore out the internal core of the HTS crystal using bore        drill 1514 of FIG. 15B to form a hollow column within HTS        crystal 1510 of FIG. 15B to form a cylinder with spiral fibers        (e.g., fiber reinforcement 1512 of FIG. 15B) that are        reinforcing the walls of the cylinder. FIG. 15C shows an axial        view of HTS crystal 1520 with drilled out center (e.g., drilled        out center 1524) and with fiber reinforcement 1522 in the walls.    -   3) cut the Reinforced HTS column using spiral cutter 1534 of        FIG. 15D radially in the gap between individual reinforcement        spirals to produce spiral solenoid HTS crystal 1532 with fiber        reinforcement 1530 of FIG. 15D. Spiral solenoid comprises a        Reinforced HTS Solenoid with a-b axis along the solenoid's        spirals.    -   4) Fill the gap cut and coat the HTS solenoid coil with        insulation varnish. For example, HTS Solenoid 1542 is held using        holder 1544 and dipped in varnish 1540 (see FIG. 15E). In        various embodiments, varnish is applied using a sprayer, coater,        mister, or any other appropriate manner for insulating the        solenoid coil. For solenoid applications requiring a magnetic        core, ferromagnetic material is then placed in the HTS Solenoid        coil.

In various embodiments, HTS seed crystal or HTS crystal (e.g., seedcrystal 1500, HTS crystal 1510, HTS crystal 1520, HTS crystal 1532, orHTS solenoid 1542) comprises one or more of the following: a ceramicmaterial, a copper oxide material, a rare earth copper oxide material(RE)BCO (e.g., (RE)Ba₂Cu₃O₇), an iron arsenide material, an ironselenide material, a LaBaCuO material, a LaSrCuO material, a LaSrCaCuOmaterial, a YBaCuO material, a BiSrCaCuO material, a TiBaCaCuO material,a HgBACaCuO material, a HgTiBaCaCuO material, a LnFeAs(O,F) material, a(Ba, K, Li, Na)FeAs material, a FeSe material, a MgB material, a BKBOmaterial, a RbCsC material, a YbPdBC material, a NbGe material, and/orany other appropriate material. Note that RE stands for a rare earthelement, where the rare earth elements include cerium (Ce), dysprosium(Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), holmium (Ho),lanthanum (La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr),promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc), terbium (Tb), thulium(Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and yttrium (Y).

In various embodiments, fiber reinforcement (e.g., fiber reinforcement1502, fiber reinforcement 1512, fiber reinforcement 1522, or fiberreinforcement 1530) comprise one or more of the following: Silicon (Si),Silicon Carbide (SiC), Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄), Silicates includingSilicon Dioxide (SiO₂), Boron (B), Boron Carbide (B₄C), Boron Nitride(BN), Chromium (Cr), Chromium Carbides (Cr₃C₂, Cr₇C₃, Cr₂₃C₆), ChromiumNitrides (CrN, Cr₂N), Hafnium Carbide (HfC), Zirconium Carbide (ZrC),Zirconium Nitride (ZrN), Zirconium Diboride (ZrB₂), Titanium (Ti),Titanium Carbide (TiC), Titanium nitride (TiN), Tungsten Carbide (WC),Aluminum (Al), Alumina (Al₂O₃), Aluminum Carbide (Al₄C₃), AluminumNitride (AlN), Titanium Aluminum Nitride (TiAlN), Aluminum TitaniumNitride (AlTiN), and/or any other appropriate material.

The disclosed features/characteristics of making HTS Solenoids by theBore and Cut Process are a) using spiral form reinforcement structuremade out of Reinforcing Fiber to create Fiber Reinforced HTS WithLongitudinal a-b Axis, b) boring/drilling out the core of the ReinforcedHTS crystal leaving a hollow HTS crystal column with spirally reinforcedwalls, c) coating all surfaces of the HTS crystal spiral with insulationmaterial, and d) if a magnetic core is desired, place a ferromagneticcore in the solenoid. This will produce an HTS Solenoid coil without theneed to wind HTS wire or tape as required for PIT and Coated HTS. Thiswill also make HTS Solenoids which are cheaper, stronger, highercapacity, and more capable of 4D Control of Heat and Micro-magneticFields than PIT and Coated HTS.

III. Seed Crystal Wheel Process

FIGS. 16A-B are diagrams illustrating a process for creating a spiral.In the examples shown, HTS components 1604 or HTS components 1614 (e.g.,powders and fiber reinforcement within a casing or powders compressedinto a form with fiber reinforcement) are heated to melting while incontact with HTS seed 1602 or HTS seed 1612 and allowed to crystalize tocreate HTS solenoid 1600 or HTS solenoid 1610. The continuous productionis in production direction 1606 and creates a curvature in the producedHTS material resulting in a spiral (e.g., to produce HTS solenoid 1600or HTS solenoid 1610). The curvature is created at least in part usingentry angle 1618 and exit angle 1616 in conjunction with HTS seed 1612wheel shape.

This method introduces curvature along the HTS crystal's longitudinalaxis by varying entry angle 1618 and exit angle 1616 when the HTSproduction tube is in contact with the rolling HTS Seed Crystal Wheel(e.g., HTS seed 1602 or HTS seed 1612) during crystallization. Thisangle differential will naturally produce a continuous circular singleHTS crystal during Continuous Production. Varying the angle differentialwill create different circle radiuses. The larger the differential, thesmall the radius of the crystal circle. The creation of a spiral can becreated by bending (e.g., perpendicular to the HTS seed wheel—not shownin FIG. 16A or FIG. 16B).

In various embodiments, HTS components, crystals, and seed material(e.g., materials for HTS seed 1602, HTS components 1604, HTS solenoid1600, HTS seed 1612, HTS solenoid 1610, or HTS components 1614) compriseone or more of the following: a ceramic material, a copper oxidematerial, a rare earth copper oxide material (RE)BCO (e.g.,(RE)Ba₂Cu₃O₇), an iron arsenide material, an iron selenide material, aLaBaCuO material, a LaSrCuO material, a LaSrCaCuO material, a YBaCuOmaterial, a BiSrCaCuO material, a TiBaCaCuO material, a HgBACaCuOmaterial, a HgTiBaCaCuO material, a LnFeAs(O,F) material, a (Ba, K, Li,Na)FeAs material, a FeSe material, a MgB material, a BKBO material, aRbCsC material, a YbPdBC material, a NbGe material, and/or any otherappropriate material. Note that RE stands for a rare earth element,where the rare earth elements include cerium (Ce), dysprosium (Dy),erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), holmium (Ho), lanthanum(La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), promethium (Pm),samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc), terbium (Tb), thulium (Tm), ytterbium(Yb), and yttrium (Y).

In various embodiments, reinforcement fiber within HTS materials abovecomprise one or more of the following: Silicon (Si), Silicon Carbide(SiC), Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄), Silicates including Silicon Dioxide(SiO₂), Boron (B), Boron Carbide (B₄C), Boron Nitride (BN), Chromium(Cr), Chromium Carbides (Cr₃C₂, Cr₇C₃, Cr₂₃C₆), Chromium Nitrides (CrN,Cr₂N), Hafnium Carbide (HfC), Zirconium Carbide (ZrC), Zirconium Nitride(ZrN), Zirconium Diboride (ZrB₂), Titanium (Ti), Titanium Carbide (TiC),Titanium nitride (TiN), Tungsten Carbide (WC), Aluminum (Al), Alumina(Al₂O₃), Aluminum Carbide (Al₄C₃), Aluminum Nitride (AlN), TitaniumAluminum Nitride (TiAlN), Aluminum Titanium Nitride (AlTiN), and/or anyother appropriate material.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a process for creating a spiral usingbending. In the example shown, HTS component powders and reinforcementfibers 1706 (e.g., powders and fiber reinforcement within a casing orpowders compressed into a form with fiber reinforcement) are heated tomelting while in contact with HTS seed 1702 (e.g., a seed crystal wheelshown from a top view) and allowed to crystalize to create HTS crystalin spiral 1700. The continuous production creates a curvature in theproduced HTS material resulting in a spiral (e.g., to produce HTSsolenoid). The curvature is created in bending region 1704 inconjunction with the wheel shape of HTS seed 1702.

In various embodiments, HTS materials (e.g., materials made from HTScomponent powders, materials in HTS seed 1702, or HTS crystal in spiral1700) comprise one or more of the following: a ceramic material, acopper oxide material, a rare earth copper oxide material (RE)BCO (e.g.,(RE)Ba₂Cu₃O₇), an iron arsenide material, an iron selenide material, aLaBaCuO material, a LaSrCuO material, a LaSrCaCuO material, a YBaCuOmaterial, a BiSrCaCuO material, a TiBaCaCuO material, a HgBACaCuOmaterial, a HgTiBaCaCuO material, a LnFeAs(O,F) material, a (Ba, K, Li,Na)FeAs material, a FeSe material, a MgB material, a BKBO material, aRbCsC material, a YbPdBC material, a NbGe material, and/or any otherappropriate material. Note that RE stands for a rare earth element,where the rare earth elements include cerium (Ce), dysprosium (Dy),erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), holmium (Ho), lanthanum(La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), promethium (Pm),samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc), terbium (Tb), thulium (Tm), ytterbium(Yb), and yttrium (Y).

In various embodiments, reinforcement fibers (e.g., in HTS componentpowders and reinforcement fibers 1706) comprise one or more of thefollowing: Silicon (Si), Silicon Carbide (SiC), Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄),Silicates including Silicon Dioxide (SiO₂), Boron (B), Boron Carbide(B₄C), Boron Nitride (BN), Chromium (Cr), Chromium Carbides (Cr₃C₂,Cr₇C₃, Cr₂₃C₆), Chromium Nitrides (CrN, Cr₂N), Hafnium Carbide (HfC),Zirconium Carbide (ZrC), Zirconium Nitride (ZrN), Zirconium Diboride(ZrB₂), Titanium (Ti), Titanium Carbide (TiC), Titanium nitride (TiN),Tungsten Carbide (WC), Aluminum (Al), Alumina (Al₂O₃), Aluminum Carbide(Al₄C₃), Aluminum Nitride (AlN), Titanium Aluminum Nitride (TiAlN),Aluminum Titanium Nitride (AlTiN), and/or any other appropriatematerial.

The Solenoid's spiral shape is formed by slightly bending the productiontube laterally during crystal formation in bending region 1704. Thisbend will cause the circular crystal to form a natural spiral. Spacingbetween spirals will be adjusted by the degree of lateral bending: thelarger the bend the greater the spacing. This rigid preformed Solenoidwill not need the physical manipulation of winding. The bend duringcrystallization can be induced by: a) Speed, b) Temperature, and/or c)Casing Geometry.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a process for creating a spiral usingbending. In the example shown, HTS component powders and reinforcementfibers 1806 (e.g., powders and fiber reinforcement within a casing orpowders compressed into a form with fiber reinforcement) are heated tomelting while in contact with HTS seed 1802 (e.g., a seed crystal wheelshown from a top view) and allowed to crystalize to create HTS crystalin spiral 1800. The continuous production creates a curvature in theproduced HTS material resulting in a spiral (e.g., to produce HTSsolenoid). The curvature is created using fast roller 1804 and slowroller 1808 to cause bending in conjunction with the wheel shape of HTSseed 1802.

Fast roller 1804 and slow roller 1808 will vary slightly the speedbetween sides of the HTS casing tube (e.g., the crystalizing HTScomponent powders and reinforcement fibers 1806) as it passes under HTSSeed 1802 (e.g., a HTS Seed Crystal Wheel) during sintering and crystalformation. This will cause the tube naturally to bend slightly laterallyto the left or right. Roller angular velocity will be the same becausedifferent velocities result from using different roller radii.

In various embodiments, HTS materials (e.g., materials made from HTScomponent powders, materials in HTS seed 1802, or HTS crystal in spiral1800) comprise one or more of the following: a ceramic material, acopper oxide material, a rare earth copper oxide material (RE)BCO (e.g.,(RE)Ba₂Cu₃O₇), an iron arsenide material, an iron selenide material, aLaBaCuO material, a LaSrCuO material, a LaSrCaCuO material, a YBaCuOmaterial, a BiSrCaCuO material, a TiBaCaCuO material, a HgBACaCuOmaterial, a HgTiBaCaCuO material, a LnFeAs(O,F) material, a (Ba, K, Li,Na)FeAs material, a FeSe material, a MgB material, a BKBO material, aRbCsC material, a YbPdBC material, a NbGe material, and/or any otherappropriate material. Note that RE stands for a rare earth element,where the rare earth elements include cerium (Ce), dysprosium (Dy),erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), holmium (Ho), lanthanum(La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), promethium (Pm),samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc), terbium (Tb), thulium (Tm), ytterbium(Yb), and yttrium (Y).

In various embodiments, reinforcement fibers (e.g., in HTS componentpowders and reinforcement fibers 1806) comprise one or more of thefollowing: Silicon (Si), Silicon Carbide (SiC), Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄),Silicates including Silicon Dioxide (SiO₂), Boron (B), Boron Carbide(B₄C), Boron Nitride (BN), Chromium (Cr), Chromium Carbides (Cr₃C₂,Cr₇C₃, Cr₂₃C₆), Chromium Nitrides (CrN, Cr₂N), Hafnium Carbide (HfC),Zirconium Carbide (ZrC), Zirconium Nitride (ZrN), Zirconium Diboride(ZrB₂), Titanium (Ti), Titanium Carbide (TiC), Titanium nitride (TiN),Tungsten Carbide (WC), Aluminum (Al), Alumina (Al₂O₃), Aluminum Carbide(Al₄C₃), Aluminum Nitride (AlN), Titanium Aluminum Nitride (TiAlN),Aluminum Titanium Nitride (AlTiN), and/or any other appropriatematerial.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a process for creating a spiral usingbending. In the example shown, HTS component powders and reinforcementfibers 1906 (e.g., powders and fiber reinforcement within a casing orpowders compressed into a form with fiber reinforcement) are heated tomelting while in contact with HTS seed 1902 (e.g., a seed crystal wheelshown from a top view) and allowed to crystalize to create HTS crystalin spiral 1900. The continuous production creates a curvature in theproduced HTS material resulting in a spiral (e.g., to produce HTSsolenoid). The curvature is created using no cooling 1904 and cooling1908 to cause bending in conjunction with the wheel shape of HTS seed1902.

Cooling (e.g., using cooling 1908) one side of the HTS casing tubingslightly faster than the other as it passes through sintering andcrystal formation. The temperature differential will cause one side'scrystal structure to form before the other side leading to laterallybiased crystal growth. This biased crystal growth will cause the overallcrystal to bend in its production casing forming the desired solenoidcoil shape.

In various embodiments, HTS materials (e.g., materials made from HTScomponent powders, materials in HTS seed 1902, or HTS crystal in spiral1900) comprise one or more of the following: a ceramic material, acopper oxide material, a rare earth copper oxide material (RE)BCO (e.g.,(RE)Ba₂Cu₃O₇), an iron arsenide material, an iron selenide material, aLaBaCuO material, a LaSrCuO material, a LaSrCaCuO material, a YBaCuOmaterial, a BiSrCaCuO material, a TiBaCaCuO material, a HgBACaCuOmaterial, a HgTiBaCaCuO material, a LnFeAs(O,F) material, a (Ba, K, Li,Na)FeAs material, a FeSe material, a MgB material, a BKBO material, aRbCsC material, a YbPdBC material, a NbGe material, and/or any otherappropriate material. Note that RE stands for a rare earth element,where the rare earth elements include cerium (Ce), dysprosium (Dy),erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), holmium (Ho), lanthanum(La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), promethium (Pm),samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc), terbium (Tb), thulium (Tm), ytterbium(Yb), and yttrium (Y).

In various embodiments, reinforcement fibers (e.g., in HTS componentpowders and reinforcement fibers 1906) comprise one or more of thefollowing: Silicon (Si), Silicon Carbide (SiC), Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄),Silicates including Silicon Dioxide (SiO₂), Boron (B), Boron Carbide(B₄C), Boron Nitride (BN), Chromium (Cr), Chromium Carbides (Cr₃C₂,Cr₇C₃, Cr₂₃C₆), Chromium Nitrides (CrN, Cr₂N), Hafnium Carbide (HfC),Zirconium Carbide (ZrC), Zirconium Nitride (ZrN), Zirconium Diboride(ZrB₂), Titanium (Ti), Titanium Carbide (TiC), Titanium nitride (TiN),Tungsten Carbide (WC), Aluminum (Al), Alumina (Al₂O₃), Aluminum Carbide(Al₄C₃), Aluminum Nitride (AlN), Titanium Aluminum Nitride (TiAlN),Aluminum Titanium Nitride (AlTiN), and/or any other appropriatematerial.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a process for creating a spiral usingbending. In the example shown, HTS component powders and reinforcementfibers 2000 (e.g., powders and fiber reinforcement within a casing) areheated to melting while in contact with HTS seed and allowed tocrystalize to create HTS crystal in spiral. The continuous productioncreates a curvature in the produced HTS material resulting in a spiral(e.g., to produce HTS solenoid). The curvature is created using casinggeometry to cause bending in conjunction with the wheel shape of HTSseed 1902.

Crystal bending can be caused using casings with asymmetric profilessuch as thicker lateral casing sides (e.g., different casing sidethickness 2002) which will provide lateral temperature differentials,different lateral heights (e.g., different casing side heights 2004)which alters the timing of HTS crystal growth from one side to theother, or a combination of the different side thickness and height(e.g., different casing side thickness and side height).

In various embodiments, HTS materials (e.g., materials made from HTScomponent powders) comprise one or more of the following: a ceramicmaterial, a copper oxide material, a rare earth copper oxide material(RE)BCO (e.g., (RE)Ba₂Cu₃O₇), an iron arsenide material, an ironselenide material, a LaBaCuO material, a LaSrCuO material, a LaSrCaCuOmaterial, a YBaCuO material, a BiSrCaCuO material, a TiBaCaCuO material,a HgBACaCuO material, a HgTiBaCaCuO material, a LnFeAs(O,F) material, a(Ba, K, Li, Na)FeAs material, a FeSe material, a MgB material, a BKBOmaterial, a RbCsC material, a YbPdBC material, a NbGe material, and/orany other appropriate material. Note that RE stands for a rare earthelement, where the rare earth elements include cerium (Ce), dysprosium(Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), holmium (Ho),lanthanum (La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr),promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc), terbium (Tb), thulium(Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and yttrium (Y).

In various embodiments, reinforcement fibers (e.g., in HTS componentpowders and reinforcement fibers 2000) comprise one or more of thefollowing: Silicon (Si), Silicon Carbide (SiC), Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄),Silicates including Silicon Dioxide (SiO₂), Boron (B), Boron Carbide(B₄C), Boron Nitride (BN), Chromium (Cr), Chromium Carbides (Cr₃C₂,Cr₇C₃, Cr₂₃C₆), Chromium Nitrides (CrN, Cr₂N), Hafnium Carbide (HfC),Zirconium Carbide (ZrC), Zirconium Nitride (ZrN), Zirconium Diboride(ZrB₂), Titanium (Ti), Titanium Carbide (TiC), Titanium nitride (TiN),Tungsten Carbide (WC), Aluminum (Al), Alumina (Al₂O₃), Aluminum Carbide(Al₄C₃), Aluminum Nitride (AlN), Titanium Aluminum Nitride (TiAlN),Aluminum Titanium Nitride (AlTiN), and/or any other appropriatematerial.

HTS Solenoids can be built with standard electromagnet material encasingthe HTS Solenoids or in parallel with individual HTS Solenoid windingsalong with an automatic switch based on Fault Current Limiters (FCL) todivert electric current to the electromagnets if the superconductorsquench. This would provide back up in case cooling systems fail or Jc isbreached.

The disclosed features/characteristics of making HTS Solenoids by theSeed Crystal Wheel Process are: a) set different angles of entry andexit when the production line is beneath the Seed Crystal Wheel duringsintering and crystallization to form a circular single HTS crystal, b)the radius of the circular single HTS crystal can be varied by changingthe angle differential, c) use speed, differential temperature, and/orasymmetric casing geometry during crystallization to create a spiralform from the circular HTS crystal. This will continuously produce HTSSolenoids which do not require winding. Such HTS Solenoids are cheaper,stronger, higher capacity, and more capable of 4D Control of Heat andMicro-magnetic Fields than PIT and Coated HTS, and d) HTS Solenoids canbe built with back up electromagnetic material in case of superconductorquenching.

HTS Actuators/Valves

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an actuator/valve. Inthe example shown, HTS solenoid coil 2100 and HTS solenoid coil 2101 aredisposed in housing 2102 and cooled with coolant in coolant tubing 2104.For example, coolant access paths enable cooling of HTS solenoid coil2100 and HTS solenoid coil 2101. In some embodiments, coolant is held orcooled in a coolant reservoir. Electrical connection 2106 is used toactivate HTS solenoid coil 2100 to cause armature 2108 to move and causestem 2110 to open or close valve 2112. Spring 2114 provides a force topush armature 2108 to close valve 2112 when HTS solenoid coil 2100 andHTS solenoid coil 2101 are not activated. HTS Solenoid Coil 2100 and HTSsolenoid coil 2101 comprise HTS solenoid coil with reinforcement fiberwithin HTS material that make up the coil. HTS solenoid coil 2100 andHTS solenoid coil 2101 can be used to make Actuators/Valves make precisemovements. The HTS Actuators/Valves have chambers (not shown) and tubingfor coolant to keep the HTS at superconducting temperature.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an actuator/valve. Inthe example shown, HTS solenoid coil 2200 and HTS solenoid coil 2201 aredisposed in housing 2202 and cooled with coolant in coolant tubing 2204.For example, coolant access paths enable cooling of HTS solenoid coil2200, HTS solenoid coil 2201, and HTS armature coil 2208. In someembodiments, coolant is held or cooled in a coolant reservoir.Electrical connection 2206 is used to activate HTS solenoid coil 2200 tocause HTS armature coil 2208 to move and cause stem 2210 to open orclose valve 2212. Spring 2214 provides a force to push HTS armature coil2208 to close valve 2212 when HTS solenoid coil 2200 and HTS solenoidcoil 2201 are not activated. HTS Solenoid Coil 2200 and HTS solenoidcoil 2201 comprise HTS solenoid coil with reinforcement fiber within HTSmaterial that make up the coil. HTS solenoid coil 2200 and HTS solenoidcoil 2201 can be used to make Actuators/Valves make precise movements.The HTS Actuators/Valves have chambers (not shown) and tubing forcoolant to keep the HTS at superconducting temperature.

In various embodiments, the high temperature superconducting material ofthe HTS solenoid coils and/or HTS armature coil comprise(s) one or moreof the following: a ceramic material, a copper oxide material, a rareearth copper oxide material (RE)BCO (e.g., (RE)Ba₂Cu₃O₇), an ironarsenide material, an iron selenide material, a LaBaCuO material, aLaSrCuO material, a LaSrCaCuO material, a YBaCuO material, a BiSrCaCuOmaterial, a TiBaCaCuO material, a HgBACaCuO material, a HgTiBaCaCuOmaterial, a LnFeAs(O,F) material, a (Ba, K, Li, Na)FeAs material, a FeSematerial, a MgB material, a BKBO material, a RbCsC material, a YbPdBCmaterial, a NbGe material, and/or any other appropriate material. Notethat RE stands for a rare earth element, where the rare earth elementsinclude cerium (Ce), dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu),gadolinium (Gd), holmium (Ho), lanthanum (La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium(Nd), praseodymium (Pr), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc),terbium (Tb), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and yttrium (Y).

In various embodiments, a fiber reinforcing the high temperaturesuperconducting material of a solenoid coil or an armature coilcomprises one or more of the following: Silicon (Si), Silicon Carbide(SiC), Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄), Silicates including Silicon Dioxide(SiO₂), Boron (B), Boron Carbide (B₄C), Boron Nitride (BN), Chromium(Cr), Chromium Carbides (Cr₃C₂, Cr₇C₃, Cr₂₃C₆), Chromium Nitrides (CrN,Cr₂N), Hafnium Carbide (HfC), Zirconium Carbide (ZrC), Zirconium Nitride(ZrN), Zirconium Diboride (ZrB₂), Titanium (Ti), Titanium Carbide (TiC),Titanium nitride (TiN), Tungsten Carbide (WC), Aluminum (Al), Alumina(Al₂O₃), Aluminum Carbide (Al₄C₃), Aluminum Nitride (AlN), TitaniumAluminum Nitride (TiAlN), Aluminum Titanium Nitride (AlTiN), and/or anyother appropriate material.

For some applications, a powerful double HTS Actuator/Valve with both anexternal HTS Solenoid Coil and an HTS Solenoid Armature can be used.Both the external coil and Armature would need coolant chambers andtubing.

HTS Actuator/Valves can be built with standard electromagnet materialencasing the HTS solenoids or in parallel with individual HTS solenoidwindings along with an automatic switch based on Fault Current Limiters(FCL) to divert electric current to the electromagnets in response tothe superconductors quenching. This would provide back up in casecooling systems fail or Jc is breached.

The disclosed features/characteristics of making HTS Actuators/Valvesare a) actuators and valves can be made using HTS Solenoid coils and/orHTS armature coil along with cooling systems if needed, b) these HTSActuators/Valves would be much stronger, smaller, lighter, faster andprecise in movement than electromagnetic or hydraulic actuators andvalves, c) HTS solenoid coils and/or HTS armature coil can be built withback up electromagnetic material in case of superconductor quenching andd) they are especially appropriate for use in outer space where lowtemperatures eliminate the need for cooling systems.

HTS Avionics

HTS Solenoids and Actuators/Valves can be used to create SuperconductorActuator/Valve Systems (SAS) to replace the hydraulic control systemsnow used in aircraft. Electric wires and thin, low pressure coolanttubes would replace heavy pressurized pipes. Lighter, smaller, andeasier to control coolant pumps would replace hydraulic oil pumps.Weight savings means lower aircraft operating costs. Space savings meanbetter aircraft design and improved safety.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of HTS solenoids andactuators/valves used in avionics. In the example shown, avionics areshown for an aircraft. Avionics include aircraft electricity generator2300 that connects to coolant refrigeration, pump, reservoir 2302 andreserve coolant refrigeration, pump, reservoir 2304, left actuators 2306(e.g., tail flight controls, wing flight controls, and thrust reverser),center actuators 2308 (e.g., main landing gear actuation, nose landinggear actuation, main gear steering, nose wheel steering, LE slatsprimary drive, TE flaps primary drive, tail flight controls, and wingflight controls), and right actuators 2310 (e.g., alternate brakes,normal brakes, tail flight controls, wing flight controls, wing flightcontrols, and thrust reverser). In some embodiments, hydraulics avionicswith their fluid, reservoirs, valves and pumps are replaced with HTSsolenoids and actuators/valves as well as cooling system for the HTSsolenoids and actuators/valves. In some embodiments, coolant reservoir,pump, and refrigeration comprise plane coolant reservoir, pump, andrefrigeration, and the HTS solenoids are coupled to the plane coolantreservoir, pump, and refrigeration and to a plane electrical signalsource.

HTS Solenoids and Actuators/Valves used to replace hydraulics can bebuilt with standard electromagnet material encasing the HTS Solenoids orin parallel with individual HTS Solenoid windings along with anautomatic switch based on Fault Current Limiters (FCL) to divertelectric current to the electromagnets if the superconductors quench.This would provide back up in case cooling systems fail or Jc isbreached.

The disclosed features/characteristics of HTS Avionics using HTS inactuators and valves to replace hydraulic systems in aircraft are a)traditional hydraulic control systems in aircraft are heavy, occupyspace, deal with dangerous flammable liquid under pressure with basictechnology that is nearly a century old; HTS Avionics are lighter andsmaller replacing large tubes of pressurized oil with electric wires andthin low pressure coolant tubes, b) HTS Avionics are electric currentbased which can be more precise and faster than hydraulics which arebased on physically moving fluids, c) the savings in space, weight,performance and the lack of flammable fluids under pressure willsignificantly improve aircraft efficiency and safety resulting inrevolutionary aircraft design improvements, and d) the HTS Solenoids andActuators/Valves in SAS can be built with back up electromagneticmaterial in case of cooling system failure leading to superconductorquenching.

HTS Voltaic-Magnetic Cells

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an HTSvoltaic-magnetic cell. In the example shown, reinforced HTS solenoidcoils 2408 can be used to make HTS Voltaic-Magnetic Cells by attachingradiation voltaic cell 2402 to a parallel array of reinforced HTSsolenoids coils 2408 with or without magnetic cores. When radiation hitsthe voltaic it generates electric current in the solenoids whichgenerate a magnetic field. Solar radiation 2400 impinges on theradiation voltaic cell 2402 through glass lens 2404. This causes acurrent to be generated that is directed using metallic conductingstrips 2406 to flow along reinforced HTS solenoid coils 2408. Thecurrent flowing in reinforced HTS solenoid coils 2408 causes a magneticfield to be generated (e.g., magnetic loop 2410 is shown with north pole2414 and south pole 2412 as generated by an HTS solenoid coil of HTSsolenoid coils 2408).

In various embodiments, a high temperature superconducting material ofHTS solenoid coils 2408 comprises one or more of the following: aceramic material, a copper oxide material, a rare earth copper oxidematerial (RE)BCO (e.g., (RE)Ba₂Cu₃O₇), an iron arsenide material, aniron selenide material, a LaBaCuO material, a LaSrCuO material, aLaSrCaCuO material, a YBaCuO material, a BiSrCaCuO material, a TiBaCaCuOmaterial, a HgBACaCuO material, a HgTiBaCaCuO material, a LnFeAs(O,F)material, a (Ba, K, Li, Na)FeAs material, a FeSe material, a MgBmaterial, a BKBO material, a RbCsC material, a YbPdBC material, a NbGematerial, and/or any other appropriate materials. Note that RE standsfor a rare earth element, where the rare earth elements include cerium(Ce), dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd),holmium (Ho), lanthanum (La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium (Nd),praseodymium (Pr), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc),terbium (Tb), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and yttrium (Y).

In various embodiments, a fiber reinforcing the high temperaturesuperconducting material of solenoid coils 2408 comprises one or more ofthe following: Silicon (Si), Silicon Carbide (SiC), Silicon Nitride(Si₃N₄), Silicates including Silicon Dioxide (SiO₂), Boron (B), BoronCarbide (B₄C), Boron Nitride (BN), Chromium (Cr), Chromium Carbides(Cr₃C₂, Cr₇C₃, Cr₂₃C₆), Chromium Nitrides (CrN, Cr₂N), Hafnium Carbide(HfC), Zirconium Carbide (ZrC), Zirconium Nitride (ZrN), ZirconiumDiboride (ZrB₂), Titanium (Ti), Titanium Carbide (TiC), Titanium nitride(TiN), Tungsten Carbide (WC), Aluminum (Al), Alumina (Al₂O₃), AluminumCarbide (Al₄C₃), Aluminum Nitride (AlN), Titanium Aluminum Nitride(TiAlN), Aluminum Titanium Nitride (AlTiN), and/or any other appropriatematerial.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a force direction on a charge in amagnetic field. In the example shown, for direction of current 2502 indirection of magnetic field 2500 experiences direction of force 2504.The magnetic field with direction of magnetic field 2500 diverts chargedparticle radiation (e.g., charged particles moving in direction ofcurrent 2502) according to Fleming's Rules.

The disclosed features/characteristics of HTS Voltaic-Magnetic Cells area) they are made by attaching a radiation voltaic cell to a parallelarray of Reinforced HTS Solenoids, b) when radiation strikes the voltaiccell it creates an electric current which passes through the solenoidscreating a magnetic field. The magnetic field diverts charged particleradiation incident on the device.

Radiation Shields

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a radiation shield.In the example shown, a plurality of HTS photovoltaic-magnetic cells(e.g., cell 2600, cell 2602, cell 2604, etc.) are disposed in a parallelarrangement with their magnetic fields aligned. The arrangement isenforced by net 2606 with the HTS photovoltaic-magnetic cells at eachnode of net 2606. Net 2606 holds HTS photovoltaic-magnetic cells byhaving strength and/or stiffness to keep HTS photovoltaic-magnetic cellsapart. Radiation shields are made by placing HTS photovoltaic-magneticcells at the nodes of a net 2606 aligned in the same N—S magnetic axiswith voltaic side of each HTS photovoltaic-magnetic cell facing the samedirection.

In various embodiments, the high temperature superconducting material ofHTS solenoid coils in the HTS photovoltaic-magnetic cells comprises oneor more of the following: a ceramic material, a copper oxide material, arare earth copper oxide material (RE)BCO (e.g., (RE)Ba₂Cu₃O₇), an ironarsenide material, an iron selenide material, a LaBaCuO material, aLaSrCuO material, a LaSrCaCuO material, a YBaCuO material, a BiSrCaCuOmaterial, a TiBaCaCuO material, a HgBACaCuO material, a HgTiBaCaCuOmaterial, a LnFeAs(O,F) material, a (Ba, K, Li, Na)FeAs material, a FeSematerial, a MgB material, a BKBO material, a RbCsC material, a YbPdBCmaterial, a NbGe material, and/or any other appropriate materials. Notethat RE stands for a rare earth element, where the rare earth elementsinclude cerium (Ce), dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu),gadolinium (Gd), holmium (Ho), lanthanum (La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium(Nd), praseodymium (Pr), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc),terbium (Tb), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), and yttrium (Y).

In various embodiments, a fiber reinforcing the high temperaturesuperconducting material of solenoid coils comprises one or more of thefollowing: Silicon (Si), Silicon Carbide (SiC), Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄),Silicates including Silicon Dioxide (SiO₂), Boron (B), Boron Carbide(B₄C), Boron Nitride (BN), Chromium (Cr), Chromium Carbides (Cr₃C₂,Cr₇C₃, Cr₂₃C₆), Chromium Nitrides (CrN, Cr₂N), Hafnium Carbide (HfC),Zirconium Carbide (ZrC), Zirconium Nitride (ZrN), Zirconium Diboride(ZrB₂), Titanium (Ti), Titanium Carbide (TiC), Titanium nitride (TiN),Tungsten Carbide (WC), Aluminum (Al), Alumina (Al₂O₃), Aluminum Carbide(Al₄C₃), Aluminum Nitride (AlN), Titanium Aluminum Nitride (TiAlN),Aluminum Titanium Nitride (AlTiN), and/or any other appropriatematerial.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a shield. In theexample shown, net 2700 with HTS photovoltaic-magnetic cells at eachnode of net 2700. Solar wind 2702 has a bunch of charged particles(e.g., charged particle 2704) that are moving toward net 2700 arediverted by the magnetic field generated by HTS photovoltaic-magneticcells. This diversion can protect objects behind net 2700 such assatellites, stations, and astronauts.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a shield with afailed cell. In the example shown, net 2804 includes nodes of HTSphotovoltaic-magnetic cells. Failed cell 2800 receives current fromneighbor cells 2802. Net 2804 support threads include multiple strandswhich conduct electricity. This allows cells to share electricity addingredundancy in case of voltaic failure in an individual cell. In someembodiments, a failed cell (e.g., failed cell 2800) detects failure ofcurrent generation capability. Failed cell 2800 indicates to one or moreneighbors that current generation is impaired. In some embodiments, oneor more neighbors provide(s) current to failed cell 2800 so that failedcell 2800 can generate a magnetic field.

FIGS. 29 and 30 are diagrams illustrating an embodiment of a shield witha cell in a net. In the example shown in FIG. 29, net 2900 includescells (e.g., cell 2902) with parallel alignment of magnetic fields. Thisleads to attraction force 2906, attraction force 2908, attraction force2912, and attraction force 2910 in vertical chains (e.g., vertical chain2914 and vertical chain 2916) of net 2900 and repulsion force 2904between vertical chains (e.g., vertical chain 2914 and vertical chain2916). Net 2900 provides structural support and holds positions of cellsfixed. External electric current will also be sent to individual cellsreplacing, intensifying, or reversing the current provided by a cell'svoltaic or signaling to the cell to switch on, off, or reverse the cell.This allows the temporary intensification or reversal or removing of acell's magnetic N—S polarity allowing further 4D Control ofmicro-magnetic fields in addition to 4D control through HTSreinforcement fiber.

For example, under normal voltaic current the supporting net will have anatural imbalance in magnetic force between cells. But passing anexternal current via the Net's threads to a cell can change or intensifythe cell's polarity, changing magnetic forces between cells. Changingenough cells temporarily allows the Net's structure to be manipulated(folded, rolled, etc.) for deployment, maintenance and retrieval.

In the example shown in FIG. 30, net 3000 includes cells with parallelalignment of magnetic fields except cell 3002 which has a changedorientation compared to the example shown in FIG. 29. This leads todifferent forces compared to net 2900 in FIG. 29. Net 3000 has repulsionforce 3004 within vertical chain 3014 and a localized attraction forcebetween vertical chain 3014 and vertical chain 3016. The pattern offorces is different between FIG. 29 and FIG. 30 as shown with attractionforce 3006, attraction force 3008, and repulsion force 3004 andrepulsion 3010. Localized changes in the pattern forces can lead tomanipulation of the net (e.g., folding, rolling, bending, etc.).

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a fiber in a net. Inthe example shown (not to scale), fiber 3108 includes outer insulation3100, thermoplastic sheath 3102, heat resisting sheath 3104, and innerconductor 3106 going from outer concentric cylindrical shell (e.g.,outer insulation 3100) going to the innermost cylinder (e.g., innerconductor 3106). Structural control of a radiation shield will befurther enhanced by using heat resisting thermoplastic sheaths on theconducting fibers in the support net.

When external current is passed through these special structuralstrands, the heat resisting sheath 3104 will convert electricity toheat, the heat will make the thermoplastic sheath 3102 pliant andflexible allowing the fiber to bend. The now pliant net can now bemanipulated by temporarily changing the polarity/intensity of individualcells to control magnetic forces between cells. When the net is in itsoperating geometry, the heating current is stopped. Cooling temperatureswill solidify the thermoplastic making the net rigid. The process can berepeated as often as needed if the net needs to be manipulated again formaintenance, retrieval or redeployment. A net could even unfold and folditself upon an indication of a command.

The disclosed features/characteristics of radiation shields are a) theyare made by placing HTS voltaic-magnetic cells at the nodes of a supportnet with magnetic polarities aligned and voltaic faces in the samedirection, b) when struck by radiation, the magnetic fields created bythe HTS voltaic-magnetic cells will divert charged particle radiationaround the radiation shield net protecting anything behind it, c)electrically conducting strands in the net's threads allow current topass from active cells to other cells thus allowing redundancy in case aparticular cell's voltaic fails, d) external current can also reducemagnetic strength or reverse the magnetic polarity of individual cellsand solenoids, e) this control through external currents adds to the 4Dcontrol of micro-magnetic fields through HTS reinforcement fiber, f) 4Dcontrol of micro-magnetic fields allows the radiation shield net to bemanipulated/folded for deployment, maintenance, and retrieval, and g)heat resisting thermoplastic sheaths on the net's conducting threadswill further allow further control over the pliability and flexibilityindividual net fibers for deployment, maintenance, and retrieval.

HTS Tethers

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a tether. In theexample shown, tether 3200 is kept rigid by tension from opposingmagnetic solenoid coil segments (e.g., HTS solenoid coil 3202, HTSsolenoid coil 3204, and HTS solenoid coil 3206). Outer sheath rigidsections (e.g., outer sheath rigid section 3208 and outer sheath rigidsection 3210) are a load bearing material for tether 3200 that arecoupled together by outer sheath pliable sections (e.g., outer sheathpliable section 3212) that are made of a strong tensile load bearingmaterial. HTS solenoid coil 3202, HTS solenoid coil 3204, and HTSsolenoid coil 3206 are connected using electric connection 3214 thatincludes multiple connections enabling selectively activating the HTSsolenoid coils. HTS solenoid coil 3202, HTS solenoid coil 3204, and HTSsolenoid coil 3206 are arranged with opposing polarities to provideforce to make tether 3200 rigid with the outer tension sheath (e.g., anouter sheath of rigid and pliable sections—for example, outer sheathrigid section 3208 and outer sheath rigid section 3210 and outer sheathpliable section 3212). Coolant channel 3216 provides coolant for HTSsolenoid coils.

In some embodiments. HTS tethers (e.g., tether 3200) use segments ofindividual HTS Solenoid coil segments (e.g., HTS solenoid coil 3202, HTSsolenoid coil 3204, and HTS solenoid coil 3206) with solid magneticcores encased in tensile load bearing cable casing (e.g., outer sheathrigid sections and outer sheath pliable sections) along with coolantchannels (e.g., coolant channel 3216), if needed. Each HTS Solenoid hasits own external current source (e.g., via electrical connection 3214).Control over the magnetic strength and polarity of each solenoid formspart of the 4D Control of Heat and Micro-magnetic Field of the entireHTS system. The cable casing around individual HTS Solenoids withmagnetic cores can be rigid (e.g., outer sheath rigid section 3208 andouter sheath rigid section 3210). But the cable casing between segmentswould be a pliable but strong tensile load bearing material (e.g., outersheath pliable section 3212). Under normal conditions, the tether wouldbe kept rigid by the strength of opposing HTS Solenoid magnetic polescausing tension in the cable casing. This tension would be especiallyattractive for use in outer space where gravity cannot be relied uponfor natural cable tension and where cold temperatures minimize the needfor cooling systems.

HTS Tethers have the advantage of natural shock absorption. Stresses andstrains are addressed by magnetic fields rather than physical cablematerial. In physical material flexing (stress-strain hysteresis)eventually causes cracking and failure.

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a tether. In theexample shown, tether 3300 under side force 3318 and expansion force3320 and expansion force 3322. Tether 3300 is kept rigid by tension fromopposing magnetic solenoid coil segments (e.g., HTS solenoid coil 3302,HTS solenoid coil 3304, and HTS solenoid coil 3306). Outer sheath rigidsections (e.g., outer sheath rigid section 3308 and outer sheath rigidsection 3310) are a load bearing material for tether 3300 that arecoupled together by outer sheath pliable sections (e.g., outer sheathpliable section 3312) that are made of a strong tensile load bearingmaterial. HTS solenoid coil 3302, HTS solenoid coil 3304, and HTSsolenoid coil 3306 are connected using electric connection 3314 thatincludes multiple connections enabling selectively activating the HTSsolenoid coils. HTS solenoid coil 3302, HTS solenoid coil 3304, and HTSsolenoid coil 3306 are arranged with opposing polarities to provideforce to make tether 3300 rigid with the outer tension sheath (e.g., anouter sheath of rigid and pliable sections—for example, outer sheathrigid section 3308 and outer sheath rigid section 3310 and outer sheathpliable section 3312). Coolant channel 3316 provides coolant for HTSsolenoid coils.

FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a tether. In theexample shown, HTS tethers (e.g., tether 3400) can also act like a rodin parts or in whole by changing the magnetic polarities of selectedsolenoids by reversing their external electric currents. This will causemagnetic attraction linking solenoid magnetic cores together. Tetherstrength would now be compressive allowing exceptional force andstiffness for tasks requiring pushing. In case of emergencies, thiscompressive mode also allows the entire Tether to be locked down into astable rod of solenoid cores. Tether 3400 is shown under compressionforce 3420 and compression force 3422. Tether 3400 is kept rigid byattracting magnetic solenoid coil segments (e.g., HTS solenoid coil3402, HTS solenoid coil 3404, and HTS solenoid coil 3406). Outer sheathrigid sections (e.g., outer sheath rigid section 3408 and outer sheathrigid section 3410) are a load bearing material for tether 3400 that arecoupled together by outer sheath pliable sections (e.g., outer sheathpliable section 3412) that are made of a strong tensile load bearingmaterial. HTS solenoid coil 3402, HTS solenoid coil 3404, and HTSsolenoid coil 3406 are connected using electric connection 3414 thatincludes multiple connections enabling selectively activating the HTSsolenoid coils. HTS solenoid coil 3402, HTS solenoid coil 3404, and HTSsolenoid coil 3406 are arranged with the same polarities to provideforce to make tether 3400 rigid. Coolant channel 3416 provides coolantfor HTS solenoid coils.

FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a segmented tether.In the example shown, tether 3500 includes segment 3502, segment 3504,and segment 3506. Each segment includes a set of HTS solenoid coils. Theset of HTS solenoid coils can be selectively magnetically polarized—forexample, a bending force on tether 3500 can be introduced by spatiallyselecting magnetic polarization to cause repulsive forces (e.g.,repulsive force 3508) and attractive forces (e.g., attractive force 3510and attractive force 3512) that cause an overall bending force on tether3500. In the example shown, segment 3502 has a top half of magneticpolarization (e.g., north magnetic polarization half 3514) differentfrom a bottom half (e.g., south magnetic polarization half 3516).Segment 3504 has both halves with the same magnetic polarization (e.g.,north magnetic polarization both halves). Segment 3506 has a top half ofmagnetic polarization (e.g., north magnetic polarization half 3520) witha different from a bottom half (e.g., south magnetic polarization half3522). In various embodiments, different fractions of the bundledsolenoids are polarized to create different strengths of force and/ordifferent strength currents/field strengths are created in the halves tocreate different strengths of force. By bundling HTS solenoids inparallel together in cable segments (e.g., segment 3502, segment 3504,and segment 3506), the magnetic profile of segment faces can be 4Dmicro-controlled. The mix of attractive and repulsive magnetic forcesacross opposing segment faces will allow active bending of an HTS Tetherat any segment point. This allows the Tender to be manipulated like atentacle providing similar functions to a robotic arm.

In some embodiments, strain and motion sensors on each segment willprovide real time information on the condition of HTS Tether segments.This information can be processed with 4D Control of Heat andMicro-magnetic Field to respond automatically and immediately to unusualTether conditions by locking down, flexing or increasing pliability.This will protect from unexpected events both for the HTS Tether as wellas the objects it is tethered to. For example, if something comes tooclose to an HTS Tether, the Tether can react by flexing away from it,becoming pliant, or locking down for impact.

The disclosed features/characteristics of HTS Tethers are a) they aremade by placing HTS Solenoids with magnetic cores and/or parallel arraysof HTS Solenoids with magnetic cores end to end within tensile strongsheaths, b) stresses and strains are absorbed by magnetic fields whichdo not deteriorate like physical materials, c) each solenoid has its ownexternal electric current source which allows control over its magneticstrength and polarity, d) this control by external current over a HTSSolenoid's magnetism adds to 4D Control of Heat and Micro-magneticFields through HTS reinforcing fiber, e) 4D Control allows the HTSTether to be locked down in parts or in whole into a solid rod ofmagnetic cores as well manipulated like a tentacle, and f) strain andmotion sensors combined with 4D Control allow the monitoring of andautomatic response to changes in Tender conditions.

HTS Earth-Space Tethers/Space Elevators

FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a tether andelevator. In the example shown, tether 3602 extends away from earth 3600and includes elevator 3604 that travels along tether 3602. Tether 3602is coupled to solar panel 3606 that provide power to HTS solenoids intether 3602. Tether 3602 is coupled to cooing array 3608 that providescooling to coolant for HTS solenoids in tether 3602. HTS Earth-SpaceTether (e.g., tether 3602) and Space Elevators (e.g., elevator 3604) canbe efficiently built using HTS Tethers. Earth-Space Tethers/SpaceElevators can be under strong tension and subject to the challengingstresses of weather near the earth's surface. The magnetic strength ofHTS Tethers utilizes this tension to provide natural shock absorption ofweather stresses and strains better than physical materials. This causeslonger usable life which significantly reduces amortization costsboosting viability.

HTS Earth-Space Tethers/Space Elevators are sustainable and efficientwith extremely low operating costs because outer space will be used tomake the temperature of coolant (liquid N) below superconductivitylevels. The coolant will be circulated from space through tether 3602then back up to space for re-cooling (e.g., using cooling array 308)with power provided for free by space solar panels (e.g., solar panels3606).

4D Control of Heat and Micro-magnetic Fields allows physical control ofthe Space Tether (e.g., tether 3602) including partial lock down as asolid rod, temporary flexibility or even limited manipulation.

Strain and motion sensors along with 4D micro-control can monitor andprovide automatic response to conditions along the Tether/Elevator. Forexample unusual strains caused by weather turbulence are sensed thenautomatically respond to with stronger magnetic fields, increasedflexibility, or lock down in parts of the Tether/Elevator as needed.

The disclosed features/characteristics of HTS Earth-Space Tethers/SpaceElevators are a) a tether can be built from Earth's surface to outerspace using a series of HTS Solenoids with magnetic cores, b) theSolenoids use magnetic forces to maintain the Tether's tensile strengthand withstand weather stresses and strains much more efficiently anddurably that physical materials, c) strain and motion sensors combinedwith 4D Control of Heat and Micro-magnetic Fields allows automaticmonitoring and immediate response to external weather conditions withmore or less Tether flexibility, stronger magnetic fields and lockingdown into a solid rod of magnetic cores in parts or in whole, d)Tether(s) will be built with transport Space Elevators which carry goodsand people to and from Earth's surface to outer space, e) the Tether(s)will also conduct electricity collected efficiently from space solarpanels back to Earth, and f) Tether/Space Elevator operations will behighly efficient with coolant maintained at low temperatures in outerspace, pumped through the Tether to cool HTS, then pumped from Earthback to Space for cooling with power provided by space solar panels.

Propulsion in Fluids

FIGS. 37A-B are diagrams illustrating embodiments of a propulsionsystem. In the example shown in FIG. 37A, fluid channel 3700 has HTSsolenoids 3702 and HTS solenoids 3704 lining two sides. HTS solenoids3702 and HTS solenoids 3704 enable creating a strong magnetic field inFluid channel 3700 that can be moved by sequentially flowing current inopposite pairs of solenoids and then having the pairs that are activatedbe positioned sequentially along fluid channel 3700. A buoyant magnet influid channel 3700 would then experience a force as the wave of magneticfield is moved along fluid channel 3700. Direction of fluid flow 3706 isshown of fluid channel 3700. In the example shown in FIG. 37B, fluidchannel 3720 has HTS solenoids 3722 and HTS solenoids 3724 lining twosides.

In some embodiments, reinforced HTS can drive submersibles moreefficiently in fluids than propellers. Rows of HTS Solenoids with thesame polarities are placed on either side of a fluid flow channel alongthe submersible's or boat's axis. This creates a consistent,controllable magnetic field through which fluid flows along thesubmersible's or boat's length.

FIG. 38A-B are diagrams illustrating embodiments of a buoyant magnet. Inthe example shown in FIG. 38A, magnetic propulsion ball 3800 includesmagnet 3802 with N—S poles disposed in a ball. The remaining interiorspace is filled or not filled with material to make magnetic propulsionball slightly buoyant, neutrally buoyant, slightly non-buoyant, or anyother appropriate density relation to the fluid surrounding magneticpropulsion ball. In the example shown in FIG. 38B, magnetic propulsionplate 3820 includes magnet 3822 with N—S poles disposed in a ball. Invarious embodiments, magnet 3822 comprises a ferromagnetic material, arare earth magnetic material, or any other magnetic material. Theremaining interior space of face plate 3820 and tail 3824 are filled ornot filled with material to make magnetic propulsion plate slightlybuoyant, neutrally buoyant, slightly non-buoyant, or any otherappropriate density relation to the fluid surrounding magneticpropulsion plate. Tiny magnetized propulsion balls or plates withstabilizing tails are distributed in the fluid channels. Individualballs/plates can be neutral or slightly +/− buoyant to aid retrieval.

FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a propulsion system.In the example shown, a water craft includes fluid channel 3906 in whichpropulsion plates 3908 are moved through fluid channel 3906 by movingmagnetic wave locations 3904 to cause fluid to flow in fluid flowdirection 3910. Propulsion plates 3908 return by return fluid channel3902 that is magnetically shielded to be used again for propulsion inpropulsion direction 3900.

In some embodiments, propulsion balls and/or plate faces (e.g., ofpropulsion plates 3908) will align when in a magnetic field. When amagnetic field is pulsed by turning on/off successive pairs of solenoidsin the rows, the pulse wave forces the balls/plates against the fluid,pushing it out to the stern. This will create propulsion driving thesubmersible or watercraft forward. The balls/plates are kept aligned bya) the briefness of the pulse which compresses the balls/platestogether, and b) inter-ball/plate attraction from induced magneticpolarity. At the stern, where the magnetic field stops, the balls/plateswill demagnetize, lose alignment and disperse. They will be collectedwith electro-magnets/buoyancy for transport and reuse back to the bowthrough a 2nd magnetically shielded fluid channel (e.g., return fluidchannel 3902) powered by backwash from main fluid channel (e.g., fluidchannel 3906).

The disclosed features/characteristics of HTS Propulsion in Fluids area) submersibles can move in fluids without propellers, b) rows of HTSSolenoids arrayed along the submersible are used with a number of smallMagnetic Propulsion Balls and/or Plates in a bow to stern fluid channelto c) create synchronized magnetic pluses through 4D Magnetic Controlwhich drive the Balls/Plates from bow to stern along the fluid channelpushing the fluid back and the submersible forward, and d) theBalls/Plates are collected at the stern then returned to the bow througha fluid back channel for reuse.

HTS Projectile Launching

FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a projectilelaunching system. In the example shown, HTS solenoid tube 4000 comprisesa hollow tube with projectile 4002 in HTS solenoid sabot 4004 comprisinga HTS solenoid. Reinforced HTS Solenoids (e.g., HTS solenoid tube 4000and HTS solenoid sabot 4004) can be used to fire projectiles out of atube without explosives. This involves building HTS solenoid tube 4000out of a hollow, rifled HTS solenoid and placing projectile 4002 in HTSsolenoid sabot 4004 made out of another hollow HTS Solenoid. 4D Controlof Micro-magnetic fields is used to generate magnetic fields withopposite polarity between the two HTS Solenoids. The controlled magneticrepulsion between the two HTS Solenoids will force projectile 4002 outof HTS solenoid tube 4000 at high speed. This embodiment would beespecially useful in outer space where temperatures are naturally lowenough for superconductivity, and where one-time use rocketfuel/chemical explosives are expensive to transport, and/or in confinedareas where explosive propulsion is dangerous such as in submersibles,ships, and vehicles. In some embodiments, HTS solenoid tube 4000 and/orHTS solenoid sabot 4004 include a current source for maintaining acurrent to create a magnetic field.

The disclosed features/characteristics of HTS Projectile Launching area) using HTS magnetic fields to launch projectiles rather than chemicalexplosives by b) placing a projectile in an HTS Solenoid coil sabotwithin a long rifled HTS Solenoid tube, c) using 4D Control ofMicro-Magnetic fields to create strong magnetic fields with opposingpolarities between the two HTS Solenoids, which will d) force theProjectile out of the tube at great speed.

A Method to Create Superconductors with Long Conducting Axis UsingLongitudinal Seed Crystals

FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a HTS crystal. In theexample shown, HTS crystal 4100 has three axes (e.g., a-axis 4104,b-axis 4106, and c-axis 4108). Superconductivity for HTS crystal 4100occurs only in an a-b plane (e.g., electric conductivity in a-b plane4102).

For most HTS applications superconductivity along a longitudinal axis isneeded similar to how electric currents travels along a metallic wire.But current bulk HTS batch processing production relies on crystalgrowth from a seed crystal along its c-axis.

FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a seed crystal placedalong c-axis. In the example shown, HTS seed crystal 4200 is placed ontop (e.g., above new HTS crystal 4202 along c-axis 4206) of the growingnew HTS Crystal 4202. Crystal growth in the example is in new crystalgrowth direction 4210. Superconducting current travels in the planesdefined by a-axis 4204 and b-axis 4208.

Continuous production methods described previously create a long HTScrystal with a longitudinal c-axis. Superconductivity is limited to theshort radial distance from the crystal's center to its sides as shown bythe red arrows below—in other words within a given a-b plane.

FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a seed crystal placedalong c-axis. In the example shown, HTS seed crystal 4300 is placed ontop (e.g., above HTS melted components 4302 along c-axis 4308) of thegrowing new HTS Crystal. Crystal growth in the example is in HTS crystalgrowth direction 4304. Superconducting current travels in the planesdefined by a-axis 4306 and b-axis 4310.

FIG. 44 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a seed crystal placedalong a axis or b axis. In the example shown, a fiber reinforced HTScrystal (e.g., HTS crystal grows on a orb axis 4408 from HTS constituentpowders and reinforcement fibers 4410 in continuous production direction4412) is grown with a longitudinal a-b plane (e.g., where a-b plane isdefined along a-axis 4402 and b-axis 4404) by placing a longitudinalseed crystal (e.g., HTS seed crystal 4400) at one lateral end of theintended crystal with conducting a-b plane in the lateral plane ofintended crystal growth. The seed crystal's c-axis (e.g., alongdirection of c-axis 4406) would be perpendicular to the plane ofintended crystal growth. The resulting HTS wire/tape will be muchstronger for physical manipulation such as winding, and can carry muchmore current than exiting solutions using Powder-in-tube (PIT) or CoatedHTS materials.

FIG. 45 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a seed crystal placedalong a axis or b axis. In the example shown, a fiber reinforced HTScrystal (e.g., HTS crystal grows on a orb axis from HTS constituentpowders 4510 and reinforcement fibers on periphery 4514 in continuousproduction direction 4512) is grown with a longitudinal a-b plane (e.g.,where a-b plane is defined along a-axis 4502 and b-axis 4504) by placinga longitudinal seed crystal (e.g., HTS seed crystal 4500) at one lateralend of the intended crystal with conducting a-b plane in the lateralplane of intended crystal growth. The seed crystal's c-axis (e.g., alongdirection of c-axis 4506) would be perpendicular to the plane ofintended crystal growth. The longitudinal seed crystal (e.g., HTS seedcrystal 4500) also permits fiber reinforcement of HTS along the edges orperiphery of the HTS crystal (e.g., reinforcement fibers on periphery4514). This will allow HTS production even at high fiber densities whichnormally interfere with crystal formation. This is because HTS crystalwill grow in the interior where there are few or no fibers to interferewith crystal growth. Yet the fibers placed densely on the edges willgive the HTS the benefits of strength and internal heat/currentconduction properties from fiber reinforcement.

Longitudinal seed crystal and fiber reinforcement will allow HTS to beproduced by continuous production. This will lower HTS cost leading towider use in applications.

The disclosed features/characteristics of creating superconductors withlong conducting axis using longitudinal seed crystal are: a) using aseed crystal with conducting a-b axes parallel to the intendeddirection/plane of intended HTS crystal growth, b) which allows fiberreinforcement at HTS edges at densities above that which may interferewith crystal formation, c) HTS can be produced continuously as crystalis automatically seeded from the proceeding formed crystal and d) theHTS will be cheaper, stronger, higher capacity, and more capable of 4DControl of Heat and Micro-magnetic Fields than PIT and Coated HTS wiresand tapes.

Methods to Support Earth-Space Tethers

Efforts to build Earth-Space Tethers which connect geostationarysatellites, platforms, and other structures are prevented by the needfor the Tether to support the force of Earth's gravitation on its ownweight until geostationary altitude at approximately 36,000 km. Thisrequires materials with high specific strength (ratio of strength toweight). It also requires that the diameter of the Tether be much largerat geostationary altitude than at the Earth's surface. Nearly all knownmaterials do not have sufficient specific strength for a Tether thatwill not result in an impractically large Tether diameter atgeostationary altitude.

Carbon nanotubes and other variants of carbon graphene (henceforthreferred to collectively as graphene) have been suggested astheoretically having sufficient specific strength to do support its ownweight up to geostationary altitude without an impractically largemagnification in diameter. However so far no graphene have been madelonger than one meter, far short of the 36,000 km. required.

A number of applications for the support of a Tether connecting Earth'ssurface with objects in geostationary orbit are disclosed.

Previous studies assumed that a Space Tether would be supported by thespecific tensile strength of graphene alone requiring a continuousgraphene crystal tether from earth to the 36,000 km altitude ofgeo-stationary orbit. Short segments of carbon nanotubes and othergraphene materials can be used to build an Earth-Space Tether if theweight of the Tether could be partially supported by means other thanthe tensile strength of the Tether itself. This would offset part of thegravitational weight of the Tether reducing the tensile strengthrequired through the Tether. This would both reduce the specificstrength of the Tether material, as well as allow the use of joinedsegments of graphene since the joints would need to support less tensilestrength.

FIG. 46 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a tether. In theexample shown, HTS crystal 4602 is within circumferential graphene 4600.Graphene has high tensile strength but low compression strength.Ceramics such as High Temperature Superconductors (HTS) have highcompression strength but low tensile strength.

FIG. 47 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a tether. In theexample shown, HTS crystal 4700 is within circumferential graphene. WhenHTS crystal 4700 is placed vertically in circumferential graphene thatforms a tube surrounding HTS crystal 4700, the weight of HTS crystal4700 causes the diameter of HTS crystal 4700 to expand pushing outagainst circumferential graphene (e.g., compression force 4702 andcompression force 4704 causes outward force (f_(i)) from HTS crystal4700). This causes circumferential tension in the graphene (e.g.,tension force 4706). The graphene's tensile strength acts to prevent theHTS crystal 4602 from expanding thus allowing HTS crystal 4602 tosupport more weight through compression.

HTS compression relieves some of the weight the graphene needs tosupport through tension along its length, allowing graphene segments tobe used to build Space Tethers.

HTS conducts electric power efficiently with near zero resistance andlow weight allowing the transmission of electricity from space to earth.The coldness of space reduces the cost to maintain HTS atsuperconducting temperatures. HTS compression strength and electricityconductivity will allow geosynchronous structures to be used to generateSpace-based Solar Power.

Space-based Solar Power will in turn generate income to financeEarth-Space Tethers, Space Elevators, geosynchronous Space Station andother structures with space exploration, space tourism, climate controlas bonuses.

FIG. 48 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a tether. In theexample shown, HTS crystal 4804 is within circumferential graphene 4800and also has coolant channels (e.g., coolant channel 4802). In variousembodiments, coolant channels 4802 comprise graphene and/or carbon or acarbon compound based heat conducting materials, or any otherappropriate heat conducting material. HTS crystal 4804 can be cooled bythe flow of coolant such as liquid Nitrogen (N) through verticalchannels (e.g., coolant channel 4802) lined with graphene. Liquid N canbe cooled in outer space, then pumped down coolant channels to theearth's surface, then recycled back to outer space for re-cooling in arecovery channel. The power needed for liquid N flow can be providedfrom a space-based solar panel allowing the entire system to beself-sufficient with minimal expenses except for maintenance.

Although in general HTS ceramic is denser than liquid N, confined liquidN will also have compressive strength which will also help supportTether weight especially closer to earth. Liquids do not bond to solidsstrongly. So freely flowing liquids in a Space Tether will neither besupported by the tensile strength of graphene, nor the compressivestrength of HTS crystal 4804 and other solid fillers. Thus as the Tetherapproaches earth, liquid coolant pressure will rise greatly. At somepoint this pressure may even surpass the compressive pressure on solidfillers such as HTS crystal 4804, if the HTS crystal 4804 is alsosupported by graphene tensile strength.

FIG. 49 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a tether. In theexample shown, HTS crystal 4908, graphene casing segment 4900, andgraphene casing segment 4902 are shown in a slice view of the tether.HTS crystal 4908 with coolant channels 4910 is encased within graphenecasing segment 4900 and graphene casing segment 4902, which are joinedusing graphene segment sleeve 4904 on the outer diameter of thecircumferential graphene layer. In various embodiments, coolant channels4910 have no lining between HTS crystal 4908 and the space insidecoolant channels 4910, have a lining between HTS crystal 4908 and thespace inside coolant channels 4910, have a graphene lining between HTScrystal 4908 and the space inside coolant channels 4910, have a graphenelining with graphene coolant channel sleeves 4906 between HTS crystal4908 and the space inside coolant channels 4910, or any other lining orlack of lining for coolant channels 4910. Previous studies assumed thata Space Tether would be supported by the specific tensile strength ofgraphene alone requiring a continuous graphene crystal tether from earthto the 36,000 km altitude of geo-stationary orbit. Compression Strengthwill offset or partly offset the need for the Tether to be supported bygraphene tensile strength alone. There will be less stress on the Tetherwhich will allow it to be constructed out of shorter segments as long asthe attachment of each segment to another is of sufficient strength tobear the Tether stress at that point. Attachments of sufficient strengthcan be made using sleeves of graphene (e.g., graphene segment sleeve4904) to connect segments. In some embodiments, the attaching materialbetween the graphene sleeve (e.g., graphing segment sleeve 4904) andcasing (e.g., graphene casing segment 4900 or graphene casing segment4902) could be atomic carbon or other substances.

The disclosed features/characteristics are a) that Compression Strengthcan be used to reduce the need for continuous, long graphene to buildEarth-Space Tethers for Space Elevators, geosynchronous Space Stationsand other structures by allowing the use of graphene segments, b) theuse of HTS Compression Strength also allows the efficient transmissionof electric power from space to earth, which c) will improve thefeasibility of building Space Elevators for geosynchronous SpaceStations and other structures.

Although the foregoing embodiments have been described in some detailfor purposes of clarity of understanding, the invention is not limitedto the details provided. There are many alternative ways of implementingthe invention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and notrestrictive.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: growing a longitudinal a-bplane high temperature superconducting crystal with a long fiberreinforced seed crystal; and cutting off the long fiber reinforced seedcrystal from the longitudinal a-b plane high temperature superconductingcrystal.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the high temperaturesuperconducting material comprises one or more of the following: aceramic material, a copper oxide material, a rare earth copper oxidematerial (RE)BCO (e.g., (RE)Ba₂Cu₃O₇), an iron arsenide material, aniron selenide material, a LaBaCuO material, a LaSrCuO material, aLaSrCaCuO material, a YBaCuO material, a BiSrCaCuO material, a TiBaCaCuOmaterial, a HgBACaCuO material, a HgTiBaCaCuO material, a LnFeAs(O,F)material, a (Ba, K, Li, Na)FeAs material, a FeSe material, a MgBmaterial, a BKBO material, a RbCsC material, a YbPdBC material, and/or aNbGe material.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein a fiber of the longfiber reinforced crystal comprises one or more of the following: Silicon(Si), Silicon Carbide (SiC), Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄), Silicatesincluding Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), Boron (B), Boron Carbide (B₄C), BoronNitride (BN), Chromium (Cr), Chromium Carbides (Cr₃C₂, Cr₇C₃, Cr₂₃C₆),Chromium Nitrides (CrN, Cr₂N), Hafnium Carbide (HfC), Zirconium Carbide(ZrC), Zirconium Nitride (ZrN), Zirconium Diboride (ZrB₂), Titanium(Ti), Titanium Carbide (TiC), Titanium nitride (TiN), Tungsten Carbide(WC), Aluminum (Al), Alumina (Al₂O₃), Aluminum Carbide (Al₄C₃), AluminumNitride (AlN), Titanium Aluminum Nitride (TiAlN), and/or AluminumTitanium Nitride (AlTiN).
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the longfiber reinforced seed crystal comprises a rectangular crystal or a wheelshaped crystal.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the long fiberreinforced seed crystal comprises a segmented crystal.
 6. The method ofclaim 5, wherein the segmented crystal comprises a polygon, a hexagon,an octagon, or a decagon.
 7. A method, comprising: adding hightemperature superconducting constituent powders; adding intermediatesolid state powders to the high temperature superconducting constituentpowders; disposing fiber reinforcement within the intermediate solidstate powders and the high temperature superconducting constituentpowders; compressing the intermediate solid state powders and the hightemperature superconducting constituent powders with the fiberreinforcement to form a high temperature superconducting shape; andheating the high temperature superconducting shape to crystalize.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, wherein the high temperature superconductingconstituent powders are used to make a high temperature superconductingmaterial comprising one or more of the following: a ceramic material, acopper oxide material, a rare earth copper oxide material (RE)BCO (e.g.,(RE)Ba₂Cu₃O₇), an iron arsenide material, an iron selenide material, aLaBaCuO material, a LaSrCuO material, a LaSrCaCuO material, a YBaCuOmaterial, a BiSrCaCuO material, a TiBaCaCuO material, a HgBACaCuOmaterial, a HgTiBaCaCuO material, a LnFeAs(O,F) material, a (Ba, K, Li,Na)FeAs material, a FeSe material, a MgB material, a BKBO material, aRbCsC material, a YbPdBC material, and/or a NbGe material.
 9. The methodof claim 7, wherein the intermediate solid state powders comprisenon-superconducting intermediates.
 10. The method of claim 9, whereinthe non-superconducting intermediates comprise Y₂BaCuO₅ (Y-211),(RE)₂BaCuOx, (RE)BaCuO, or (RE)Ba₂Cu₃O_(7-x).
 11. The method of claim 7,wherein the fiber reinforcement comprises one or more of the following:Silicon (Si), Silicon Carbide (SiC), Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄), Silicatesincluding Silicon Dioxide (SiO₂), Boron (B), Boron Carbide (B₄C), BoronNitride (BN), Chromium (Cr), Chromium Carbides (Cr₃C₂, Cr₇C₃, Cr₂₃C₆),Chromium Nitrides (CrN, Cr₂N), Hafnium Carbide (HfC), Zirconium Carbide(ZrC), Zirconium Nitride (ZrN), Zirconium Diboride (ZrB₂), Titanium(Ti), Titanium Carbide (TiC), Titanium nitride (TiN), Tungsten Carbide(WC), Aluminum (Al), Alumina (Al₂O₃), Aluminum Carbide (Al₄C₃), AluminumNitride (AlN), Titanium Aluminum Nitride (TiAlN), and/or AluminumTitanium Nitride (AlTiN).
 12. A composition, comprising: a plurality HTSsegments, wherein a HTS segment of the plurality of HTS segmentscomprises one or more continuous fibers embedded in a high temperaturesuperconducting material; and a wire or a tape, wherein the wire or thetape is mechanically and electrically coupled between a first HTSsegment of the plurality of HTS segments and a second HTS segment of theplurality of HTS segments.
 13. The composition of claim 12, wherein thehigh temperature superconducting material comprises one or more of thefollowing: a ceramic material, a copper oxide material, a rare earthcopper oxide material (RE)BCO (e.g., (RE)Ba₂Cu₃O₇), an iron arsenidematerial, an iron selenide material, a LaBaCuO material, a LaSrCuOmaterial, a LaSrCaCuO material, a YBaCuO material, a BiSrCaCuO material,a TiBaCaCuO material, a HgBACaCuO material, a HgTiBaCaCuO material, aLnFeAs(O,F) material, a (Ba, K, Li, Na)FeAs material, a FeSe material, aMgB material, a BKBO material, a RbCsC material, a YbPdBC material,and/or a NbGe material.
 14. The composition of claim 12, wherein a fiberof the one or more continuous fibers comprises one or more of thefollowing: Silicon (Si), Silicon Carbide (SiC), Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄),Silicates including Silicon Dioxide (SiO₂), Boron (B), Boron Carbide(B₄C), Boron Nitride (BN), Chromium (Cr), Chromium Carbides (Cr₃C₂,Cr₇C₃, Cr₂₃C₆), Chromium Nitrides (CrN, Cr₂N), Hafnium Carbide (HfC),Zirconium Carbide (ZrC), Zirconium Nitride (ZrN), Zirconium Diboride(ZrB₂), Titanium (Ti), Titanium Carbide (TiC), Titanium nitride (TiN),Tungsten Carbide (WC), Aluminum (Al), Alumina (Al₂O₃), Aluminum Carbide(Al₄C₃), Aluminum Nitride (AlN), Titanium Aluminum Nitride (TiAlN),and/or Aluminum Titanium Nitride (AlTiN).
 15. The composition of claim12, wherein the wire or tape comprises the one or more continuousfibers.
 16. The composition of claim 12, wherein the wire or tapecomprises an intermediate material with fiber reinforcement.
 17. Thecomposition of claim 16, wherein the intermediate material comprises anelectrically conducting material.